By Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times (TNS)
The week before Christmas is crucial when you're sending packages or receiving last-minute deliveries through the U.S. Postal Service. But watch out because scammers will attempt to make the most of you using text messages.
Consumers eagerly awaiting a package might be deceived by an unsolicited text message posing as a delivery update or a request for account information from the postal service. This variety of text message could contain an online link and/or a phone number requesting a response.
If you’ve gotten not signed up for a USPS tracking request for a selected package, postal officials strongly advise you to not click on the link or reply to the message.
When an unknown phone number sends a fraudulent text message designed to trick you into replying along with your personal or financial information, this scam is generally known as “smishing.”
“These scammers often attempt to impersonate a government agency, bank or other company to lend legitimacy to their claims,” they said US Postal Inspection Service.
Using this fraud method, fraudsters seek personal information, including account usernames and passwords, credit and debit card information, Social Security numbers, and private identification numbers.
“Scammers then get to work manipulating your personal information, which they can sell and/or use for other scams,” they said Federal Communications Commission.
If you receive a text message from an unknown number, from an agency you haven't signed up for text alerts with, or that generally looks suspicious, it's probably a scam, in line with FCC officials.
As you wait for packages to reach this holiday season, experts provide you with advice on methods to avoid smishing scams and offer several tools to assist you to keep track of your packages.
How to avoid smishing scams
It starts with remembering that firms and agencies generally don't contact you to ask to your username and password information, he said FBI officials.
If you receive a smishing message, experts say:
– Don’t answer. When you open the text message, don’t click on a link, don’t reply to the text message, or call a number you don’t recognize. Even if the message comprises the “SMS STOP” choice to stop messaging, don’t respond.
– If you wish to check with the corporate/agency that the text is supposedly from, search for the client service phone number or email on a receipt or on the corporate/agency website.
– Delete all suspicious text messages.
– Protect all sensitive personal information – bank accounts, health records, social media accounts, etc. – by utilizing multi-factor authentication to access these web sites or accounts.
Also note that the post office won’t ever send you an unsolicited text message a few package or mail item.
A suspicious text message from the “Postal Service”
There are various tools you need to use to trace a package within the mail.
You may also log in Text tracking by sending an SMS to Enter the number 28777 and include your tracking number within the message body.
USPS replies include the acronym “USPS,” the tracking number, when your package might be available for pickup, and the phrase “Reply STOP to cancel.” You is not going to be asked to reply.
To track mail and packages sent to your property, you possibly can log in Daily digest emails This preview shows what’s going to arrive that day and when other items are expected to be delivered.
How to report a smishing scam
Report an email-related smishing scam to the USPS Inspection Service by sending an email to spam@uspis.gov. In the e-mail, include your name and the next information:
– Copy and paste the suspicious text message into the e-mail.
– Take a screenshot of the text message with the sender's phone number and sent date.
– Provide all details, e.g. B. whether you clicked on the link, whether you responded to the message with personal information and whether personal information or banking information was affected by the fraud.
Once your email is distributed, the inspection service will contact you if further information is required.
If you receive a smishing text message that claims to be from one other government agency or retailer, you possibly can Report it to the FCC online – or for Spanish, call (888) 225-5322 – or the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.
FCC officials also recommend that you just report the scam to your local law enforcement agency.
Originally published:
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