Have you ever received a text message about a United States Postal Service (USPS) delivery that you weren’t expecting? Perhaps it included a link and urged you to take immediate action regarding your package tracking. If you didn’t specifically request United States Postal Service tracking for a package, be extremely cautious. These messages could be part of a scam known as “smishing,” and clicking on any links within them could put you at risk.
Smishing is a type of phishing scam that uses text messages to trick you into giving up your personal information. Scammers send deceptive texts, often pretending to be legitimate organizations like government agencies, banks, or even the United States Postal Service, to gain your trust. They aim to lure you into providing sensitive data, which they can then use for malicious purposes. It’s important to remember that while USPS does use text messaging for some services, they have specific protocols in place to protect you.
These criminals are after your Personally Identifiable Information (PII). This can include your usernames and passwords for various accounts, your Social Security number, date of birth, credit and debit card details, Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), and other confidential information. Once they obtain this data, they can use it to commit identity theft, financial fraud, and other crimes.
The Postal Service provides helpful and free tools for customers to track their packages. However, to use these services, you must either register online through the official USPS website or initiate a tracking request yourself, providing a specific tracking number. Crucially, USPS will never charge you for these tracking services. Furthermore, and this is a critical point for your safety, USPS will not send unsolicited text messages or emails containing links unless you have directly requested tracking for a specific package. If you receive a text message about United States Postal Service tracking that you didn’t request and it includes a link, do not click the link. This is a major red flag indicating a smishing scam.
If you are unsure about a text message you’ve received but are expecting a delivery, resist the urge to click any links in the message. Instead, to check on your delivery, directly visit the official USPS website, USPS.com, using your web browser on your computer or mobile device. This is the safest way to track your packages and avoid potential scams.
For more detailed information and resources about USPS text tracking services, you can visit the official USPS TEXT TRACKING FAQs page. To learn more about protecting yourself from various types of fraud, explore the USPS fraud prevention resources available.
HOW TO REPORT USPS SMISHING SCAMS:
If you believe you have received a USPS-related smishing text message, it’s important to report it. Send an email to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at [email protected].
- Copy the entire body of the suspicious text message and paste it into a new email, without clicking on any web links.
- Include your name in the email.
- Attach a screenshot of the text message. Make sure the screenshot clearly shows the sender’s phone number and the date the message was sent.
- Provide any relevant details in your email. For example, mention if you clicked on any links, if you lost any money, if you provided any personal information, or if you have experienced any negative impacts on your credit or personal well-being as a result of the message.
- The Postal Inspection Service may contact you if they require further information regarding your report.
- Forward the smishing text message to 7726. This action helps in reporting the scam phone number to mobile carriers and authorities.
Complaints about smishing scams that are not related to USPS can also be reported to the following law enforcement partners of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service:
- Forward the suspicious text to 7726.
- Report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- File a complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at https://www.ic3.gov/complaint.
By staying informed and taking these precautions, you can protect yourself from falling victim to United States Postal Service tracking text scams and ensure a safer online experience.
