With the rise of online shopping and package deliveries, receiving text messages related to shipping and delivery updates is common. One entity that often comes to mind when considering package deliveries in the United States is the United States Postal Service (USPS). Recently, there has been an increase in text message scams pretending to be from USPS, which has made people worried and confused.
This article discusses whether the USPS sends text messages, how to spot a USPS text scam and how to protect yourself from USPS text scams.
Does USPS send text messages?
If you’ve registered for USPS Text Tracking, USPS does send genuine text messages. You can expect to find the tracking number, sender (USPS), status (like available for pickup or delivery), date, time, and sometimes location details and Instructions on how to stop receiving these text updates in real USPS text messages.
Also read: What to do if you click on a phishing link?
How does a USPS text scam work?
Scams related to USPS often begin with a fake text message claiming there’s a problem with a delivery. They might ask for your info, request a redelivery fee, or give you a link to a fake website. If you get such a text message from USPS and you’re not waiting for a delivery, it’s probably a scam.
How to spot a USPS text scam?
Text scams pretending to be from USPS resemble many other phishing attempts. They might have strange wording, errors in grammar, a rushed tone, and provide web links that are slightly different from the real ones. For instance, they may use USP instead of USPS, contain grammar and capitalisation errors, and ask for your personal information.
Real USPS texts will always have your tracking number, which you can verify on their official website. USPS scam texts follow similar patterns as PayPal scams, targeted phishing attacks. They all use tricks to manipulate you into clicking on scam links.
Here’s how to spot a USPS scam text.
- It doesn’t have a tracking number, or the one it provides doesn’t work on the official USPS website.
- It pressures you to share personal information, like your address, quickly.
- It contains spelling, grammar, or language mistakes.
- It includes links to websites that are slightly different from official USPS sites.
- It demands additional payment for redelivery.
How to protect yourself from USPS text scams?
Consider the following precautions to protect yourself from USPS text scams and similar phishing attempts.
- Verify: If you receive a suspicious text, contact USPS directly through their official website or customer service phone number to verify the information.
- Use USPS Official Channels: Whenever possible, use USPS’s official website or mobile app to track packages and manage postal services.
- Avoid Clicking Links or Attachments: Clicking on links or opening attachments in suspicious USPS scam text messages can put your device at risk. It might lead to malware or viruses being installed on your device. If you accidentally click on one, make sure to run a malware scan right away.
- Install Security Software: Install reputable antivirus and anti-malware software on your smartphone to detect and prevent malicious activity.
- Don’t Respond: Avoid responding to scam text messages. When you reply, you might confirm to scammers that your phone number is active and monitored. Instead, delete all spam text messages and block the senders to keep your information safe.
- Report the Scam text: Report the USPS scam text to spam@uspis.gov, copy and paste the text message without clicking on any link in the scam text, also attach a screenshot of the text message showing the phone number of the sender and date; you can also forward the scam text to 7726.
