Watch Out for the USPS Delivery Scam: Here’s How It Works

You’re waiting for a package, maybe something you’ve been excited to receive. Your phone buzzes, and you check to see a message from USPS. They say there’s a problem with the delivery, and you need to click a link to confirm your address or reschedule delivery. Sounds legit, right?

Well, here’s the catch: it’s not legit. In fact, this is one of the most common text scams (also known as smishing) going around right now, and falling for it could mean handing over your personal info to scammers. Don’t worry, though—if you’re aware of it, you can avoid getting trapped. Here’s how it works and what to do if it happens to you.

How Does the USPS Smishing Scam Work?

You receive a seemingly innocent text that looks like it’s from the USPS. It might say something like, “Your package has arrived at the warehouse but can’t be delivered due to incomplete address information. Click here to reschedule.” It looks convincing, especially if you’re expecting a delivery. But that’s exactly how these scammers get you!

Once you click the link, you’re taken to a fake website designed to steal your personal information or worse, plant malware on your device. Maybe you start entering details like your name, address, and phone number. And then they ask for your credit card info. That’s the red flag! At this point, if you’re paying attention, you’ll realize something’s off.

But how do you know for sure it’s a scam?

1. No tracking number in the message (or a fake one that doesn’t match your actual package).
2. Urgency—they’ll try to rush you. Scammers love urgency because it lowers your guard. If the text is pushing you to act fast, take a step back.
3. Weird links. Legit USPS texts won’t have links. If you see a funky URL, like “https://www-uspost.com” instead of the official usps.com, you can bet it’s a scam.
4. They want money. USPS doesn’t charge for redelivery, so if the message is asking for payment, DO NOT ENTER YOUR INFO.

What to Do If You Get a Scam Text

If you get a suspicious text, don’t panic, but here’s what you need to do:

1. Don’t click the link. Seriously, just don’t. Even if it looks convincing, it’s not worth the risk.
2. Verify the sender. Instead of replying to the text or calling the number, reach out to USPS directly through their official site or call your local post office to check your delivery status.
3. Delete the message. But first, take a screenshot to report it later.
4. Report the scam. You can report it to the US Postal Inspection Service at [email protected] or by forwarding the text to 7726 (the spam reporting number).

What If You’ve Already Clicked the Link?

Let’s say you’ve already clicked the link—now what? Don’t panic, but act fast:

• Exit the website immediately and clear your browser’s history.
• Run a malware scan on your phone or device to make sure you didn’t accidentally download anything harmful.
• If you gave out personal or financial information, contact your bank or credit card company right away to monitor for suspicious activity.
• Change your passwords for any accounts that may be affected, just in case.

In a Nutshell: Stay Alert!

Scammers are getting trickier by the day, but if you know what to look for, you can stay one step ahead. The next time you get a text about a USPS delivery, double-check everything. If something seems fishy, it probably is.

Just remember: USPS will never send unsolicited texts asking for personal information or credit card details. So, if you see a link, don’t click it. Stay safe, stay smart, and protect your info!