{"id":6995,"date":"2025-01-17T13:07:26","date_gmt":"2025-01-17T18:07:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/?p=6995"},"modified":"2025-01-17T13:07:27","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T18:07:27","slug":"watch-out-the-usps-text-scam-is-back-and-sneakier-than-ever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/2025\/01\/watch-out-the-usps-text-scam-is-back-and-sneakier-than-ever\/","title":{"rendered":"Watch Out! The USPS Text Scam is Back (and Sneakier Than Ever)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Vids-for-SPEARPHISH-19.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Vids-for-SPEARPHISH-19-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7032\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Vids-for-SPEARPHISH-19-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Vids-for-SPEARPHISH-19-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Vids-for-SPEARPHISH-19-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Vids-for-SPEARPHISH-19-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Vids-for-SPEARPHISH-19.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">We all rely on the USPS to deliver our mail and packages, but scammers are exploiting that trust with a devious new trick: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uspis.gov\/news\/scam-article\/smishing-package-tracking-text-scams\">the USPS text scam<\/a>, also known as &#8220;smishing.&#8221; This isn&#8217;t just another annoying robocall; it&#8217;s a carefully crafted attempt to steal your personal information and leave you vulnerable to identity theft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/preview.redd.it\/is-this-a-scam-im-too-scared-to-click-on-the-link-v0-wqkc8bazkxkb1.jpg?auto=webp&amp;s=20a8a5ffc6177531193cfd56a9f43cacf482bfa0\" alt=\"\" width=\"563\" height=\"1001\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/Scams\/comments\/1640vpp\/is_this_a_scam_im_too_scared_to_click_on_the_link\/?rdt=62024\">Reddit<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How the Scam Works:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">Imagine this: You receive a text message that appears to be from the United States Postal Service. It might say something like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size wp-block-list\">\n<li>&#8220;Your package delivery has been delayed due to an unpaid shipping fee. Click here to resolve.&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;We were unable to deliver your package. Please call this number to reschedule.&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Your package is being held at our facility. Verify your address to avoid return to sender.&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">These messages often use urgent language to create a sense of panic. They want you to act quickly without thinking. The key element is a link or a phone number. Clicking the link takes you to a fake website that looks convincingly like the real USPS site, where you&#8217;re asked to enter sensitive information. Calling the number connects you to a<a href=\"https:\/\/news.usps.com\/2024\/06\/26\/dont-get-smished\/\"> scammer posing as a USPS representative.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/partners-page-banner.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"288\" src=\"https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/partners-page-banner-1024x288.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6998\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/partners-page-banner-1024x288.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/partners-page-banner-300x84.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/partners-page-banner-768x216.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/partners-page-banner-1536x432.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/partners-page-banner.jpg 1690w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Danger Lurking Behind the Link:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">The goal of these scams is simple: to trick you into handing over your personal and financial data. This could include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size wp-block-list\">\n<li>Account usernames and passwords<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Social Security numbers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dates of birth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Credit and debit card numbers<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">With this information, scammers can wreak havoc on your finances and your identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to Protect Yourself:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">The good news is, you can easily protect yourself by remembering these crucial points:<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>USPS Doesn&#8217;t Initiate Contact via Text or Email (Unless You Specifically Request It):<\/strong> The USPS <em>will not<\/em> send you unsolicited text messages or emails. The only exception is if you&#8217;ve signed up for tracking updates using a specific tracking number.<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>USPS Messages Never Contain Links:<\/strong> Legitimate USPS communications will <em>never<\/em> include clickable links. This is a huge red flag.<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Be Wary of Urgent Language:<\/strong> Scammers use urgency to pressure you. Take a moment to think before you act.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Text:<\/strong><br><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>DO NOT click on any links.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>DO NOT call any numbers provided in the text.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Delete the message immediately.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Report the scam:<\/strong> You can report the message to the USPS Inspection Service (www.uspis.gov) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Stay Vigilant, Stay Safe:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">By staying informed and following these simple tips, you can protect yourself from the latest USPS text scam and avoid becoming a victim of identity theft. Don&#8217;t let scammers ruin your day \u2013 be smart and stay safe!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,227],"tags":[136,233,232],"class_list":["post-6995","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","category-phishing","tag-phishing-protection","tag-smishing","tag-usps-text-scam"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6995","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/50"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6995"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6995\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7036,"href":"https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6995\/revisions\/7036"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6995"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6995"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.exchangedefender.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6995"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}