Watch out for scammers impersonating USPS with text messages

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Anyone receiving a text message from USPS might want to look more carefully, it could be a scammer.

A text message impersonating USPS states that a package cannot be delivered due to an invalid zip code unless the person clicks on the link and provides their zip code within 24 hours.

USPS said it’s aware of these fake text messages and wants to remind everyone that it will never reach out to a consumer directly to ask for money or personal identifying information.

A text message impersonating USPS states that a package cannot be delivered due to an invalid zip code unless the person clicks on the link and provides their zip code within 24 hours.

USPS said people should never click on links delivered in suspicious text messages, use strong and unique passwords for their online accounts, and never provide personal or financial information online unless they know who they are dealing with.

Scams like these are common according to the Better Business Bureau. They tend to look legitimate, but someone who receives one should never respond to it or click any links.

“They will provide you a link but they’re going to give you a directive, this is what the scammers are going to do, so it’s going to say ‘your package is late, we need you to change times, we need you to confirm something,’” Katie Galan with the Better Business Bureau said. “A legitimate text you receive will just say your package is out for delivery and it will probably have a link but it won’t say you have to click on it or get this information from you.”

With many people still waiting on their Amazon Prime Day packages there’s a chance people will see more of these texts.

“Scammers always work in season, so whatever is going on at that moment they really try to capitalize on that. The fact that Prime Day just passed is an example of something scammers would completely take advantage of,” Galan said. “If you actually want to check the status go to the official website.”

Clicking on the link could install malware onto a device allowing the scammer to steal passwords, bank information and potentially someone’s identity.

“Pretty serious implication there and I don’t think people realize if I click on the link no big deal, but there are really serious implications that can be really hard to come back from if you do end up getting your identity stolen or your money stolen,” Galan said.

If someone does click a link there are a couple of things they should do.

“Change your passwords, get with your bank make sure they are able to put a hold on your account. That is probably the first thing. Report to a reporting agency such as us, Better Business Bureau because we do provide regular reports to the Texas Attorney General’s Office and the Federal Trade Commission,” Galan said.

Galan also suggests providing the information to the local police department. While it’s all about creating a paper trail, Galan says it’s unlikely the scammer will get caught.

USPS asks that those spam/scam messages be reported to spam@uspis.gov and then deleted. A scam can also be reported to the Better Business Bureau at this link.