How to Spot USPS Text Scams (And What to Do Next)

If you did, you wouldn’t be alone. USPS text scams are on the rise, and thousands of Americans fall victim to them daily, losing money and their identities to fraudsters. 

In 2023 the Federal Trade Commission received over 160,000 reports of government imposter scams, with consumers losing an estimated $20 million in Q1 of 2024 alone. And seniors are prime targets.

Beware of convincing scam texts that appear to be from USPS, urging you to click on a link about a package delivery. These links lead to fake USPS sites where scammers steal personal and financial information or install malware. Learn how these scams work, what red flags to watch out for, and what to do if you receive a suspected scam text to protect yourself and report it.

What is a USPS Text Scam?

A USPS text scam, also known as “smishing” (a combination of SMS and phishing), is a fraudulent message designed to trick you into giving up your personal information or inadvertently downloading malware. The scammer sends a text pretending to be from USPS, often claiming a problem with delivering your package. The message will urge you to click a link to verify your identity or update your delivery preferences.

But here’s the catch, the link won’t take you to the real USPS website—instead, you’ll be directed to a convincing but fake site built to steal your data. 

The phony site will insist you input sensitive details like your full name, address, Social Security number, or credit card info to “verify” your identity or make a small payment to release your package. If you comply, the scammer can use your information for identity theft or to make fraudulent charges.

In other cases, the link may stealthily download malicious software or malware, onto your phone or computer. This malware can give scammers access to even more data or spy on your digital activity.

Common Variations of USPS Text Scams

Fraudsters are constantly inventing new spins on this scam, but here are some common elements:

• Claims of a lost, delayed or undeliverable package
• Urgent language pressuring you to act quickly 
• Requests to “verify” your identity or delivery info
• Misspellings and grammatical errors (though some use surprisingly correct English) 
• Links to sites that look like USPS.com but have a slightly different URL

Here’s a real example of a USPS scam text:

Hello. We were unable to deliver you’re package today. Please visit [http://usps-delivery-confirmation.go] to reschedule delivery.

Note the suspicious link, unnatural wording, and lack of specifics, which are hallmarks of a scam attempting to inspire false urgency. However, more sophisticated scammers may send very convincing texts that closely mimic official USPS notifications, so spotting even subtle inconsistencies is crucial. We’ll walk through exactly how to do that in the next section.

7 Ways to Identify a USPS Text Scam

The first step in protecting yourself is knowing how to spot a scam text. While some are obvious, others can seem legitimate at first glance. Here are the top red flags:

1. Unknown sender: Scam texts often come from unrecognized numbers or email addresses not ending in usps.com. Legitimate USPS texts will come from short numbers like 28777 or 23370.
2. Generic greeting: Scammers use impersonal greetings like “Dear customer” instead of your name. Authentic USPS messages will address you by name if you’ve signed up for text alerts.
3. Poor grammar and spelling: Many scam texts have odd capitalizations, misplaced punctuation, and misspelled words – errors a real company would never make. 
4. Fake tracking numbers: Scammers often include false or invalid tracking numbers not recognized by USPS.com. Always compare tracking numbers to your records and USPS site.
5. Urgent or threatening language: Phony messages try to scare you into acting immediately with claims that your package will be returned or additional fees charged. USPS will never demand immediate action or threaten you over text.
6. Requests for personal information: Legitimate USPS texts will NEVER ask you to provide or verify sensitive info like your Social Security number. They may ask you to reply with “1” to provide delivery instructions, but not with any private details.
7. Suspicious links: Links in scam texts lead to fake sites or malware downloads, not usps.com. Authentic USPS links will start with https://www.usps.com.

Examples of a Real USPS Text vs. a Scam Text

• Real USPS text: “USPS: Your package 9400 1000 0000 0000 0000 00 is available for pickup at the CHICAGO IL post office. Go to https://www.usps.com or call 800-ASK-USPS for more information.”
• Scam text: “USPS: Sorry we missed you. Confirm your identity within 24 hours to reschedule delivery: http://usps-delivery-confirmation.go. Your package 87282 may be returned to sender if you do not reply.”

If you’re unsure if a text is legitimate, navigate directly to USPS.com to verify tracking info rather than clicking any links.

What to Do If You Receive a Scam Text

If you receive a suspicious USPS text, do NOT click any links. Do not reply to the message. And do not call any numbers provided. 

Clicking can trigger malware downloads or take you to sites that steal your info. Replying or calling lets scammers know your number is active, exposing you to more cons. 

Instead, follow these steps:

• Block the sender to prevent further messages.
• Go to USPS.com and enter the provided tracking number. If the number isn’t found or doesn’t match your expected delivery, it’s likely a scam.
• Check your phone bill for any suspicious charges related to the text and report them to your carrier.
• If you accidentally clicked a link, immediately run a virus scan with trusted security software and change any passwords you entered on the site. 

You should also report the scam to help alert authorities and protect others from falling victim.

Reporting USPS Text Scams

Reporting scam texts helps USPS, law enforcement, and government agencies combat these fraudsters. Here’s how:

• Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) to alert your mobile carrier. 
• Take a screenshot of the message, including the sender’s number.
• Email the screenshot to [email protected], the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s dedicated email for reporting spam. Include any additional details, like whether you lost money or personal info or noticed unauthorized charges.
• File a complaint with the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. Include as many details as possible.

It may feel embarrassing to admit you’ve been targeted, but remember it’s not your fault; reporting is the best way to fight back. USPS and the FTC can use your report to warn others and investigate these crimes.

Tips and Resources for Scam Prevention

In addition to knowing the signs of USPS scam texts, you can take proactive steps to protect yourself:

• Sign up for Informed Delivery at usps.com to get official previews of incoming mail and tracking notifications so you know what to expect.
• Use trusted antivirus software and keep it updated to block malware downloads and warn you of suspicious sites. 
• Be cautious about posting your phone number or other personal details publicly online, as scammers can use this info to target you.
• Educate your friends and family about scam warning signs, especially those who may be more vulnerable, like elderly relatives.
• Stay informed about the latest postal scams by visiting the USPS’s online security center and following trusted sources like the FTC’s Consumer Alerts and AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

Remember, you have the power to prevent these scammers from winning. Always trust your gut—if a message seems suspicious, it probably is. Take the time to independently verify any supposed USPS communication before acting on it.

Staying Safe From Smishing

USPS scam texts are a serious and growing threat, but armed with the knowledge of how to spot and stop them, you can protect yourself and your sensitive information. Always be alert for the red flags of scam texts, like unrecognized senders, incorrect tracking numbers, urgent language, and requests for personal info. If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from USPS, do not engage with it—block and delete it, then report it to the proper authorities.

You can further safeguard yourself by signing up for official USPS notifications, using security software, and staying informed about the latest schemes. Together, we can prevent these fraudsters from succeeding by knowing their tricks and refusing to fall for them.

Don’t let scammers turn you into a statistic. Be vigilant, be proactive, and encourage your loved ones to do the same. With awareness and action, we can outsmart these criminals and secure our information and hard-earned money.