Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

1-800-ASK-USPS Scam Spoofed Telephone Number - Beware
1-800-ASK-USPS Scam Spoofed Telephone Number - Beware

1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) is the legitimate, official customer service number for the United States Postal Service. However, scammers use a technique called caller ID spoofing to make this exact number show up on your phone screen when they call or text you.

If you did not initiate contact, any unexpected call or text appearing to come from this number is a fraudulent phishing attempt.

How the Spoofing Scam Works

  • The Unexpected Call: A scammer calls you pretending to be a postal employee or inspector. They often claim they intercepted a package containing contraband in your name or require personal information to complete a delivery. They will then try to trick you into revealing your Social Security number, banking details, or paying a fake fine.
  • The Fake Delivery Text (Smishing): You receive a text message disguised as a tracking alert. It states that a package cannot be delivered due to an incorrect address or unpaid fee and demands you click a link.

Crucial Red Flags

  • Demands for Personal Information: The real USPS will never call out of the blue to ask for your name, address, or financial details.
  • Unsolicited Links: Authentic text tracking updates from the USPS are only sent if you manually register a tracking number, and they will never include web links. Legitimate automated texts originate only from the official 5-digit short code 28777.
  • High Urgency: Scammers use high-pressure tactics or scary legal threats to force you into acting quickly before thinking.

What To Do Right Now

  1. Hang Up Immediately: Do not press buttons, talk to the representative, or argue.
  2. Never Click the Links: If you received a text message, do not click the link or reply.
  3. Verify Independently: If you think there is a genuine issue with a shipment, exit the communication and manually navigate to the official USPS Tracking Tool or call the number back yourself.
  4. Report the Fraud: Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) to alert your cellular provider. You should also send a screenshot of the message to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at spam@uspis.gov.
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