BATON ROUGE — The United States Postal Service (USPS) is urging customers to stay vigilant this holiday season as scammers ramp up efforts to deceive people through fraudulent text messages.
The warning comes after reports of fake texts appearing to be from USPS, requesting personal information or payment to resolve fabricated delivery issues.
One such message sent to a recipient claimed that a package delivery was delayed due to an invalid zip code. The text read:
“U.S. Post: You have a USPS parcel being cleared, due to the detection of an invalid zip code address, the parcel can not be cleared, the parcel is temporarily detained. Please confirm the zip code address information in the link within 24 hours.”
It then included a link to a fake website and instructions to reply and reopen the message to activate the link. The fraudulent message also urged the recipient to pay a small fee to receive their package.
USPS Response and Consumer Warning
USPS has confirmed that these texts are scams and emphasized that the organization does not request personal information or payment through unsolicited messages. Official USPS tracking updates are only accessible through its website, usps.com, or by downloading the official USPS mobile app.
“Scammers often use official-sounding language and urgent calls to action to trick people into clicking on malicious links,” USPS said in a statement. “Customers should avoid clicking on any links or providing any information to unsolicited messages.”
Tips to Avoid Holiday Scams
To help consumers protect themselves during the busy holiday season, USPS recommends the following:
- Verify the Source: If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from USPS, do not click on links. Instead, visit the official USPS website or contact their customer service directly to confirm the status of your package.
- Look for Red Flags: Poor grammar, generic greetings, and urgent demands for payment or information are common indicators of scams.
- Don’t Share Personal Information: Avoid providing sensitive details, such as your Social Security number, banking information, or address, through text or email.
- Report Scams: Forward suspicious text messages to 7726 (SPAM) and report them to USPS Customer Care.
As holiday deliveries increase, scammers are likely to intensify their efforts. Staying informed and cautious can help protect your personal information and ensure a safer holiday season.
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