The holiday season is often celebrated as a time of giving, but unfortunately, it’s also a time when some choose to steal. This year, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is urging everyone to stay vigilant against trending scams while sending and receiving gifts.
One of the most prevalent scams this season is “smishing.” This scam involves fraudulent text messages that appear to provide package tracking information. These texts often contain suspicious tracking details and clickable links that should be avoided to protect your personal information from scammers.
Protect Yourself This Holiday Season: Beware of Smishing Scams
If you’re unfamiliar with “smishing,” it’s important to know what this fraudulent activity entails, how to avoid it, and how to recognize authentic tracking messages from the U.S. Postal Service.
Smishing is a type of phishing, where scammers send messages that seem to be from a trusted source, attempting to trick individuals into revealing sensitive personal or financial information. This can include Social Security numbers, credit and debit card numbers, and account passwords.
To protect yourself during the holiday season, be sure to verify the legitimacy of any suspicious messages and avoid clicking on any questionable links.
As you prepare to send gifts, keep in mind the holiday gift shipping schedules for USPS, FedEx, and UPS to ensure your packages arrive on time. Smishing is a deceptive practice conducted specifically through text messaging.
Understanding Smishing and Its Tactics
When you become a victim of smishing, you typically receive a misleading text message from a scammer pretending to represent a trusted entity such as a government agency, bank, or well-known institution like the USPS.
Indeed, the USPS offers a service that allows customers to track their packages via text messages. However, it’s important to note that customers must first register for this service. According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the USPS does not send unsolicited tracking texts or emails unless a customer has explicitly requested them.
Identifying Authentic USPS Package Tracking Texts
Authentic package tracking texts from the USPS may vary slightly based on the information requested, but they generally include: Tracking number, package status, date, time, and location details.
Being informed about how these messages should look can help you distinguish between legitimate messages and potential scams.
Wondering how to cease those unsolicited messages? Here’s a straightforward guide to help you manage your USPS text notifications efficiently.
The Real USPS Text Notifications
An example of a typical text message from the USPS regarding an expected delivery might look something like this: USPS 01123456789123456789, Expected Delivery by: Monday, September 11, 2017. Simply reply with STOP to cancel further messages.
It’s crucial to note that USPS tracking texts will never contain clickable links, ensuring your security and privacy.
If you’re interested in receiving tracking updates via text, it’s quite simple. Just send your package’s tracking number to 28777 (2USPS). You will then receive the latest tracking update for your package.
Getting More Detailed Tracking Information
For those seeking more detailed tracking information, you can enhance your request by sending the tracking number alongside specific keywords to 28777. These keywords help the USPS understand precisely what details you need. Here are some options you can include:
- Expected Delivery: Know when your package is expected to arrive.
- Pickup Availability: Find out when and where your package is available for pickup.
- Tracking History: Access all past activity related to your package.
By using these options, you can tailor the information you receive to meet your specific needs, ensuring a more personalized and efficient tracking experience with USPS. Discover vital information on the USPS website by visiting the list of keywords at usps.com/text-tracking/welcome.htm.
Steps to Take When You Receive a Smishing Message
Smishing, a form of phishing via SMS, is on the rise, and it’s crucial to know how to protect yourself. If you suspect you’ve received a fraudulent message from someone posing as the USPS, here’s what you should do.
To ensure your safety and assist in stopping these scams, report the message via email to spam@uspis.gov. Follow these steps to file a thorough report:
- Do not click any links in the message. Instead, copy the message’s content and paste it into a new email.
- Attach a screenshot of the text message, making sure to include the sender’s phone number and the date it was sent.
- Provide your first and last name in the email for identification purposes.
- Include any other relevant details, such as if you clicked the link and shared personal or financial information, or if you experienced a financial loss.
Additional Actions
- Forward the text message to 7726 (SPAM) to alert your mobile carrier about the fraudulent activity.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service may reach out to you if they require more information to address your report effectively.
Stay vigilant and protect yourself by reporting any suspicious messages promptly.
If you happen to receive a smishing message that doesn’t pertain to the USPS, it’s crucial to take action. You should forward the message to 7726 and file a report with the Federal Trade Commission or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Other Types of Mail Fraud to Watch Out For During the Holidays
One of the deceptive tactics scammers may employ during the holiday season is known as brushing. This occurs when you receive a package containing items you never ordered or requested. Although the package might be addressed to you, it typically lacks a return address.
The purpose of this scheme is to make it seem like you are a verified buyer who has posted positive reviews online. Essentially, the scammer uses your name to write fake reviews, artificially boosting product sales.
While brushing might seem like a harmless act, the reality is far from it. This scam could mean your personal information has been compromised. Additionally, these fake reviews can mislead others into buying products that don’t deserve such high praise.