Officials advise not to click on a link in a text message or email claiming to be from the US Postal Service. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warned customers in a written warning Tuesday that scammers are sending fake emails known as "phishing" and phony text messages known as "smishing" pretending to be from the USPS.
"U. S. Postal Inspection Service - Headquarters
@USPISpressroom - Did you receive a text or email offering you a prize if you participate in a post-COVID vaccination survey? Don't fall for it! It's a scam! https://uspis.gov/coronavirus #USPIS #FightFraud”[1]
Smishing messages, including phishing emails, are social-engineering hacks that attempt to trick users into handing over personal information such as Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, and account passwords or into having access to a business's computer system. A scammer can use social engineering to get you to exchange personal information and financial data, such as account numbers and passwords, during a vishing phone call.
"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." [2]
Consumers should know that the USPS does not issue text messages or emails about unclaimed parcels or a distribution attempt, says postal inspectors.
Postal Inspectors Sent The Following Warnings To Customers To Help Them Avoid The Scam:
- Do not click on any links or attachments.
- Do not give out personal information: Customers should be mindful that USPS does not alert them of attempted package delivery or request personal information via email or text.
- Take a good look at the post. Poor grammar and spelling mistakes are a dead giveaway that the email is a forgery.
- Check the sender's name. Take the time to consider why the sender is requesting your information.
- Make protection and maintenance procedures a habit. Maintain the most recent versions of the protection tools and programs.
According to the USPS, consumers can report smishing/phishing by emailing spam@uspis.gov with the following information:
- For text messages, copy the body of the suspect text message and paste it into a new email without clicking on the web address. Alternatively, have a snapshot of the text message that includes the sender's phone number and the day it was received.
- Simply forward it in the case of emails. In the text, provide your name.
- Include any relevant information in your correspondence. For example, if you clicked the connection, lost money, or given some personal information.
- If more detail is needed, the Postal Inspection Service can contact you.
- Visit uspis.gov/tips-prevention for more details about such USPS scams.
RESOURCE:
[1] https://twitter.com/USPISpressroom
Published by: Book Club