Many people have received an email or text informing them that their USPS package with the tracking number US9514901185421 has been stopped at the post office or that the package with the same number is waiting at the USPS office.
All you have to do is click on the link and pay for the release of the package. But if you click the link and enter your details, you have fallen for this scam.
In this article, we’ll deal more with this topic and explain whether US9514901185421 is a scam and how to protect yourself.
How does the US9514901185421 scam work?
US9514901185421 is a phishing scam.
Phishing scams are when the threat actors send you a link via email, text, and QR code, among others and ask you to click on the link and pay.
Usually, the email will look something like this:
Dear customer,
USA Post informs you that your shipment US9514901185421 is still waiting for your instructions. It will be delivered as soon as the costs are paid.
Fees to be paid: USD 1.99$
The main aim of these scams is to gain the victim’s personal information, like an email address, or to entice the victim into entering his financial details.
The scam links may also contain malware like ransomware, viruses, or trojans. Clicking on the link will let malware infect your computer system.
The link you likely receive in the phishing email leads to a fake website that looks like the first copy of the original one. For example, when you click on the link in the US9514901185421 scam, you are directed to a fake USPS website where a naive victim may enter the card details, and the hackers will get all the details and later steal from the victim.
Also read: Is KikOff a scam?
How to protect yourself?
Protecting yourself from the US9514901185421 scam is quite easy. Here are some points that you should note to identify and protect yourself from any phishing scams, such as:
- There is always a sense of urgency in the emails or texts. The more the urgency, the more the chances of the victims clicking on the link or giving out their information. For example, in the US9514901185421 case, the email claims that your package is stuck at the post office and will move only after you have paid the required amount.
- The email or text will always have a link to lure the victims into clicking on it.
- Always look out for poor grammar, spelling mistakes and bad punctuation. It is one of the most important points that people usually ignore.
- As these phishing scams are sent in bulk, the email doesn’t address you by your name.
For more information, head to our article on how to identify phishing scams.
Also read: Is Instacart a scam?
What to do if you receive a US9514901185421 phishing email?
If you receive the US9514901185421 or any other phishing emails, here’s what you have to do:
- Immediately delete the email and block the email ID.
- If you have clicked on the email and entered your details, immediately contact the bank and block your card.
- Constantly monitor your credit or debit card transaction details.
- Report the phishing email to the authorities.
- Run a malware check on your computer system.
Also read: Is DHGate safe?
How to avoid falling for similar scams in the future?
Although the US9514901185421 scam is not the only one that targets innocent victims, you can take certain precautions to protect yourself:
- Reputed companies and banks don’t ask for your personal information via email, text or call. Always keep that in mind.
- Verify the sender’s identity and information before clicking on a link in that email.
- Avoid opening or downloading any attachments in that email.
- If you feel that you have downloaded the attachment or clicked on the link, run an antivirus scan on your computer.
- Lastly, education is the key to countering the menace of phishing.
Also read: Can you get scammed on StubHub?
