Community Chat

[geezerette]

I haven't seen this posted anywhere.  Might be useful for some.  From my local news website...I hope the included links aren't a problem.

If you receive a text message or an email that says it’s from the U.S. Postal Service, officials say don’t click on the link.

In a written alert Tuesday, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service warned consumers that scammers are sending bogus emails known as “phishing” and phony text messages known as “smishing,” claiming to be from the USPS.

“These messages are prompting unsuspecting consumers to confirm their personal delivery information by clicking a link or downloading an attachment, that, when opened, can activate a virus and steal information such as usernames, passwords and financial account information,” the USPS alert stated.

Postal inspectors said consumers should be aware that the USPS does not send text messages or emails about unclaimed packages or delivery attempts.

To help consumers beware of the scam, the postal inspectors issued the following tips:

• Do not click on any links or attachments. 
• Do not give out personal information. Be aware that USPS does not notify customers of package delivery attempts or request personal information via email or text.
•  Examine the message closely. Poor grammar and spelling errors are a good indication that the email is fraudulent.
•  Verify the identity of the sender. Take the time to ask yourself why the sender is asking for your information.
•  Start making safety and security practices routine. Keep your security software and applications up to date.

The USPS said consumers can report smishing or phishing by sending an email to spam@uspis.gov with the following information:

• For text messages, without clicking on the web link, copy the body of the suspicious text message and paste into a new email or attach a screenshot of the text message showing the phone number of the sender and the date sent.
   
• For emails, simply forward it. Provide your name in the email.
   
• Include any relevant details in your email such as if you clicked the link, if you lost money, or if you provided any personal information.
   
• The Postal Inspection Service will contact you if more information is needed.

For more information on other USPS scams, visit uspis.gov/tips-prevention

[77yangya]

Wow, thank you for posting this because if scammer fake USPS, they may fake other shippers too!  Thank you so much!  I'm sure everyone will want to be aware of this

[Spurt]

@geezerette 

Thanks for posting the info! 

[Venezia]

Yes, I got one of these fake emails about a supposed order.  I know that the post office wasn't sending it so I sent it to the spam folder then deleted it.

It just happens all the time and it's disgusting that these thieves don't have anything better to do with their "talents" and time.

[geezerette]

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@Venezia wrote:

Yes, I got one of these fake emails about a supposed order.  I know that the post office wasn't sending it so I sent it to the spam folder then deleted it.

It just happens all the time and it's disgusting that these thieves don't have anything better to do with their "talents" and time.

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I thought I had read someone had recently received an odd message supposedly from USPS regarding a delivery attempt, which is why I posted this when I saw it.

[Spurt]

One time I did get a text from UPS, it was odd my number someone else's name, but the order was from a company I do order from.....I didnt touch any links, went to their website found a phone number and called them and it was a legit UPS text and order number, but it was sent to me by mistake--- they goofed on the phone number.....

[geezerette]

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@Spurt wrote:

One time I did get a text from UPS, it was odd my number someone else's name, but the order was from a company I do order from.....I didnt touch any links, went to their website found a phone number and called them and it was a legit UPS text and order number, but it was sent to me by mistake--- they goofed on the phone number.....

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@Spurt 

This is why I hate emails that make you click their links to access sale prices or other specific things that they don't make available through anywhere on their website.  

Or ones that then go to another site that I'm not familiar with.  Right now I have an email from QVC wanting me to take a survey that I have to click on.  It goes to another site.  I'm just so leery of these things, having heard too many horror stories about hacking.   

[corita]

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@geezerette wrote:

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@Spurt wrote:

One time I did get a text from UPS, it was odd my number someone else's name, but the order was from a company I do order from.....I didnt touch any links, went to their website found a phone number and called them and it was a legit UPS text and order number, but it was sent to me by mistake--- they goofed on the phone number.....

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@Spurt 

This is why I hate emails that make you click their links to access sale prices or other specific things that they don't make available through anywhere on their website.  

Or ones that then go to another site that I'm not familiar with.  Right now I have an email from QVC wanting me to take a survey that I have to click on.  It goes to another site.  I'm just so leery of these things, having heard too many horror stories about hacking.   

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     Me too!!  I get them all the time and never know if they are 'legit' or not!!   Always just delete!! 

     PS -- Wanted to add....many are offering me 'loads of money' if I answer the survey!!  Yeah right....am probably missing out on millions!! 

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