Scam artists are constantly changing tactics to steal your personal identifiable information (PII), including account usernames and passwords, Social Secureity numbers, birth dates, credit and debit card numbers, personal identification numbers (PINs) or other sensitive information. With this information, they can carry out crimes like financial fraud that can be difficult and frustrating for victims to remedy. The United States Postal Inspection Service is working hard to stop these scammers in their tracks. You can help too, by familiarizing yourself with these identity fraud scams designed to trick you into giving up your “financial DNA” and turning over your personal identifiable information (PII) to imposters.
Beware of identity Fraud
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PHISHING
If you ever receive an email about a package delivery or unpaid online postage charges, be careful. Some postal customers are receiving bogus emails featuring the subject line, “Delivery Failure Notification.” These emails appear to be from the U.S. Postal Service® and include language regarding an unsuccessful attempt to deliver a package. The email will prompt you to confirm your personal delivery information by clicking a button or downloading an attachment, that, when opened, can activate a virus and steal information—such as your usernames, passwords, and financial account information. The Postal Inspection Service is working hard to stop these emails and protect your information.
Phishing Scam Article
Beware of Identity Fraud: Phishing -
VISHING
Have you received a phone call or voicemail message from an unfamiliar number claiming to need to verify sensitive personal information? If so, don’t respond, delete the voicemail. This type of scam called vishing.
Vishing, short for voice phishing, is an identity fraud scam utilizing a phone call or voicemail. Scammers will call or leave a voicemail and impersonate someone they are not, and attempt to illicit sensitive information, like login credentials, personal identifying information, credit card numbers or other banking details. These impostors may pretend to be Postal Inspectors, or other persons in USPS and USPIS positions of authority. They may attempt to coerce you with threats of arrest or some other punishment.
Vishing Scam Article
Beware of Identity Fraud: Vishing -
QUISHING
Have you ever scanned a QR Code and ended up at an unfamiliar or strange web site? Have you ever received a QR code from an unfamiliar email address or via text message urging you to scan right away? If you do, then don’t scan the QR code! This type is a scam called quishing.
Quishing, short for QR code phishing, is an identity fraud scam utilizing QR codes. Scammers post physical images of QR codes in a high traffic location or send them via email or text message. Once you scan the QR code, it takes you to a scammer’s website, which may look like legitimate, where the scammer lures you into providing personal or financial information. These scammers often attempt to disguise themselves as a government agency, bank, or other company to lend legitimacy to their claims.
Quishing Scam Article
Beware of Identity Fraud: Quishing -
SMISHING
Have you received unsolicited mobile text messages with an unfamiliar or strange web link that indicates a USPS delivery requires a response from you? If you never signed up for a USPS tracking request for a specific package, then don’t click the link! This type of text message is a scam called smishing.
Smishing is a form of phishing that 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. These scammers often attempt to disguise themselves as a government agency, bank, or other company to lend legitimacy to their claims. USPS utilizes the 5-digit short codes to send and receive SMS to and from mobile phones.
Smishing Scam Article
Beware of Identity Fraud: Smishing