(Atlantic) The Atlantic Postal Service warns citizens about unsolicited mobile text messages with unfamiliar or strange web links indicating a USPS delivery requiring a response.
Those who have never signed up for a USPS tracking request for a specific package should not click on 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 typically receive a deceptive text message intended to lure the recipient into providing personal or financial information. These scammers often disguise themselves as a government agency, bank, or other company to lend legitimacy to their claims.
The criminals want to receive personally identifiable information about the victim, such as account usernames and passwords, Social Security numbers, date of birth, credit and debit card numbers, personal identification numbers, or other sensitive information. This information is used to carry out other crimes, such as financial fraud.
The Postal Service offers tools to track specific packages, but customers must either register online or initiate a text message and provide a tracking number. USPS will not send customers text messages or e-mails without a customer first requesting the service without a tracking number, and it will not contain a link.
To report USPS-related smishing, go to spam@uspis.gov.
