‘Smishing’ and other scams could kill your holiday joy, Postal Service warns

’Tis the season — for scams.

As the holiday season reaches its peak, the United States Postal Service is warning customers to be wary of holiday scams when sending and receiving gifts this year.

“While the holiday season offers merriment, joy, and togetherness, fraudsters and their scams can dim the season,” the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the federal law enforcement arm of the Postal Service, said on its website.

There are a few scams the USPS warns customers of being vulnerable to, including being “snowed” by counterfeit postage, phishing and smishing scams, or mail and package theft.

Here are the types of mail fraud to be aware of and what you need to know about them.

‘Smishing’

“Smishing” is one of the more popular scams — especially around the holidays — which includes fraudulent text messages indicating package tracking.

It’s a form of phishing, designed to steal personally identifiable information (PII), such as credit card and Social Security numbers, plus account passwords.

Smishing specifically involves a text message or phone number.

“Victims will typically receive a deceptive text message that is intended to lure the recipient into providing their personal or financial information,” USPIS warns. “These scammers often attempt to disguise themselves as a government agency, bank or other company to lend legitimacy to their claims.”

While the USPS does offer free tools to track specific packages, it will not send customers text messages or e-mails without a customer first requesting the service with a specific tracking number — and it will not contain a link.

To request the service, text the package’s tracking number to 28777 (2USPS). A text that comes from the agency would generally include a tracking number, package status, date, time, location and instructions to stop receiving further messages. Again, there would not be a clickable link.

Per USPS, a text may look like: “USPS 01123456789123456789, Expected Delivery by: Monday, September 11, 2017 Reply STOP to cancel.”

If you believe you have received a fraudulent text from a sender pretending to be the Postal Service, it is advised to send an email to spam@uspis.gov and take the following steps:

• Without clicking on the web link, copy the body of the suspicious text message and paste into a new email.
• Provide your name in the email and also attach a screenshot of the text message showing the phone number of the sender and the date sent.
• Include any relevant details in your email — for example, if you clicked the link, if you lost money, if you provided any personal information, or if you experienced any impacts to your credit or person.
• The Postal Inspection Service will contact you if more information is needed.
• Forward the smishing/text message to 7726 (SPAM), which will assist with reporting the scam phone number.

‘Snowed’ by counterfeit postage

The number of counterfeit stamps being sold online has increased, and the quality of the fraudulent stamps has as well, making it harder to differentiate.

“Are you looking online for a good deal on postage stamps? Is a substantial discount of up to fifty percent off an order of United States Forever Stamps too good to pass up? If so, keep scrolling, they’re probably counterfeit,” the USPIS said.

Scammers often try to target customers through social media, third-party e-commerce sites and pop-up ads.

To make sure you’re not purchasing fake stamps, the USPIS recommends purchasing directly from USPS or from Approved Postal Providers, such as legitimate “big box” or warehouse retailers that have resale agreements with the Postal Service.

Mail and package theft

While mail and packages can be stolen at any time of the year, the USPIS warns that “thieves especially target gift packages delivered during the holiday season.”

In order to protect yourself and your mail, the USPIS recommends promptly picking up your mail and packages rather than letting them sit for any length of time.

If you can’t be home to receive a package, make another arrangement or use the USPS Hold Mail Service. Recipients can also use the Hold for PickUp option and collect the package at their local Post Office.

USPIS warns against sending cash in the mail, saying that it’s not worth the risk. Additionally, if you do not receive a check, credit card or other valuable mail, contact the sender as soon as possible to look into it.

If you’re the sender and mailing something important, consider requesting Signature Confirmation for the recipient.