‘Smishing’ and other scams can kill your holiday cheer, the postal service warns

On By Littum

Tis the season – for scams.

As the holiday season reaches its peak, the United States Postal Service is warning customers to be on the lookout for holiday scams when sending and receiving gifts this year.

“While the holiday season brings merriment, joy and togetherness, fraudsters and their scams can dampen the season,” the US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the federal law enforcement arm of the Postal Service, said on its website.

The USPS is warning customers to be on the lookout for holiday scams when sending and receiving gifts this year. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo

There are a few scams that the USPS warns customers to be vulnerable to, including being “snowed” by fake postage, phishing and smishing scams, or mail and package theft.

Here are the types of mail scams to watch out for and what you need to know about them.

‘smishing’

“Smishing” is one of the more popular scams — especially around the holidays — that includes fraudulent text messages claiming package tracking.

It’s a form of phishing designed to steal personally identifiable information (PII), such as credit card and social security numbers, plus account passwords.

Smishing specifically involves a text or phone number.

Smishing uses a text message or a phone number. uspis.gov

“Ore will typically receive a deceptive text message intended to lure the recipient into providing their personal or financial information,” USPIS warns. “These fraudsters often try to disguise themselves as a government agency, bank or other business to lend legitimacy to their claims.”

While the USPS offers free tools to track specific packages, it won’t send customers text messages or emails without a customer first requesting the service with a specific tracking number — and it won’t include a link.

To request the service, text the package tracking number to 28777 (2USPS). A text coming from the agency will generally include a tracking number, package status, date, time, location and instructions to stop receiving further messages. Again there would not be a clickable link.

Per USPSa text might look like: “USPS 01123456789123456789, expected delivery by: Monday, September 11, 2017 Reply STOP to cancel.”

While the USPS offers free tools to track specific packages, it won’t send customers text messages or emails without a customer first requesting the service with a specific tracking number — and it won’t include a link. uspis.gov

If you believe you have received a fraudulent text from a sender pretending to be the Postal Service, please email [email protected] and take the following steps:

  • Without clicking the web link, copy the body of the suspicious text message and paste it into a new email.
  • Include your name in the email and also attach a screenshot of the text message showing the sender’s phone number and the date it was sent.
  • Include all relevant details in your email – for example, if you’ve clicked on the link, if you’ve lost money, if you’ve provided personal information, or if you’ve experienced any impact on your credit or person.
  • The Norwegian Postal Authority will contact you if more information is needed.
  • Forward the smishing/text message to 7726 (SPAM) which will help report the scam phone number.

The ‘snow’ of fake postage

Scammers often try to target customers through social media, third-party e-commerce sites and pop-up ads. uspis.gov

The number of fake stamps being sold online has increased and so has the quality of the fake stamps, making it harder to spot.

“Looking online for a great deal on stamps? Is a substantial discount of up to fifty percent on an order of United States Forever Stamps too good to pass up? If so, keep scrolling, they’re probably fake, ” said USPIS.

Scammers often try to target customers through social media, third-party e-commerce sites and pop-up ads.

To ensure that you are not purchasing counterfeit stamps, USPIS recommends that you purchase directly from the USPS or from approved postal providers, such as legitimate “big box” or warehouse dealers who have resale agreements with the Postal Service.

Mail and package theft

If you are the sender and are sending something important, consider requesting signature verification for the recipient. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File photo

While mail and packages can be stolen any time of the year, USPIS warns that “thieves especially target gift packages delivered during the holiday season.”

To protect yourself and your mail, recommends USPIS pick up your mail and parcels immediately instead of leaving them sitting for a longer time.

If you can’t be home to receive a package, make another appointment or use the USPS Hold Mail Service. Recipients can also use the Hold for Collection option and pick up the package at their local post office.

USPIS warns against sending cash in the mail, saying it’s not worth the risk. Additionally, if you do not receive a check, credit card or other valuable item, contact the sender as soon as possible to investigate.

If you are the sender and are sending something important, consider requesting signature verification for the recipient.