Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.
Scam Text From USPS - Beware

If you received a text claiming to be from the United States Postal Service (USPS) about a package "awaiting action," a "failed delivery," or an "incomplete address," it is a scam known as "smishing".

How to Spot the Scam

  • Unsolicited Links: The USPS will not send you a text with a link unless you specifically signed up for tracking alerts for a specific package first.
  • Requests for Payment or PII: Legitimate USPS notifications will never ask for personal information (like your Social Security number) or payment for redelivery fees via text.
  • Suspicious URLs: Scammers use links that look similar to the official site but are not usps.com (e.g., usps-address-update.com or URLs ending in .top or .vip).
  • Urgent Tone: Messages often use high-pressure language, such as "final notification" or "immediate action required," to trick you into acting without thinking.
  • Strange Phone Numbers: Many of these texts come from non-US area codes (like +63 for the Philippines) or standard 10-digit mobile numbers rather than the 5-digit short codes USPS uses.

If You Received One

  1. Do Not Click the Link: Clicking can lead to malicious websites that install malware or steal your credit card details.
  2. Report the Scam:
  3. Delete and Block: Delete the message immediately and block the sender's number.
  4. Verify via Official Channels: If you are genuinely expecting a package, go directly to the official USPS website and type in your tracking number there.

If you already entered your card details on a suspicious site, contact your bank immediately to report the card as stolen and monitor your accounts for unauthorized activity.

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