How to Avoid the 5 Most Common Current Mail Scams
Scammers are working hard. Don't let them easily get what you worked hard for.
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We still depend on the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) a lot, even though the way we use it now might be different from how we did ten years ago. The agency is very important to daily life because it is where packages are sent and where important official papers are received. Unfortunately, scammers can use this trust to trick people who are easy targets.
Every day, countless people fall victim to cunning mail scams, a problem I know all too well. Just last month, a seemingly innocent letter promising a large inheritance turned out to be a sophisticated scam, targeting my personal information.
This experience opened my eyes to the importance of staying vigilant. Let me share insights on how to recognize and avoid the five most prevalent mail scams that are currently circulating.
By understanding their tactics, you can safeguard not only your hard-earned money but also your personal information from these relentless fraudsters.
5 Most Common Current Mail Scams
1. Beware of Smishing
In our daily lives, we receive numerous text messages, making it challenging to keep track of them all. Among these messages, there’s a growing threat known as “smishing” scams. These scams cleverly disguise themselves as urgent notifications from delivery services like USPS, or other carriers, claiming there’s a package waiting for you or a delivery attempt has been made. Melanie McGovern, a spokesperson for the Better Business Bureau, explained to KABC-TV in Los Angeles how scammers are exploiting our trust in these services to trick us.
Typically, these smishing messages include a link, supposedly for tracking your package or confirming your address. However, clicking on these links can lead to theft of personal or financial information. For instance, they might ask for a small payment to cover postage. It’s crucial to understand that legitimate carriers, including USPS, do not send text messages with links for delivery tracking or address confirmation.
The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) emphasizes that while USPS offers text-based tracking, it never includes links in its messages. They strongly advise against clicking on any links in such texts. If you receive a suspicious message, do not reply. Instead, report it to the authorities and any companies mentioned in the scam. By staying alert and informed, you can protect yourself from these deceptive and harmful smishing scams.
2. Unwanted Parcels with a Hidden Agenda
Imagine finding a package on your porch, a surprise that wasn’t expected. It’s not from a friend or family, but a mysterious box with no return address or sender information. This could be a “brushing” scam, a deceptive practice that’s more than just a mix-up in deliveries.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) warns about these parcels. They arrive filled with items you never ordered. Often, they’re sent from an international third party who found your address online. Their goal? To gain verified buyer status. This might seem harmless, but it’s a serious breach of your privacy.
Bao Vang, vice president of communications at the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Minnesota and North Dakota, sheds light on this tactic. As reported by CBS News, Vang explains that with verified status, these scammers can post fake positive reviews in your name. This manipulation skews ratings and reviews systems, attracting more customers to their products.
But the concern doesn’t end there. If you’re receiving such packages, your personal information could be at risk. It might be used in other fraudulent schemes. The USPIS advises contacting any involved retailer and monitoring your credit card activity closely after receiving unexpected boxes. Stay vigilant and protect your personal information from these cunning brushing scams.
3. Mail-Based Identity Theft
Digital identity theft is a growing concern, but it’s important to remember that traditional mail is still a common tool for scammers. They often steal incoming or outgoing mail to access your personal and financial information. This can lead to fraud and identity theft.
To safeguard your information, consider these simple steps:
First, when sending important documents, use blue collection boxes and drop off your mail close to the scheduled pickup time. Better yet, send them directly from a post office.
Additionally, keeping a close eye on your credit report and credit card activity is important of course. This way, you can quickly spot and address any suspicious activities.
4. Email Scams
In our digital age, email scams are a constant threat, evolving as quickly as technology itself. While we’ve all learned to be skeptical of emails from foreign princes offering their fortunes, scammers have become more sophisticated, now using traditional mail tactics to gain your trust. These email scams often mimic a smishing scam’s approach. You might receive a message claiming a delivery attempt failed, or a small payment is needed.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued alerts about these scams. They emphasize that the scammers’ goals are always the same: to take your money and personal details. Clicking on their links and providing card information leads to unauthorized charges on your account. These fraudulent emails often have telltale signs like poor grammar and spelling errors, and they create a sense of urgency to trick you into acting quickly.
If you ever receive such emails, the best course of action is to forward them to the USPIS and then delete them. Stay vigilant and protect your information from these modern-day digital thieves.
5. Junk Mail
Junk mail, while often just a minor annoyance, can sometimes be a cover for costly scams. Criminals use these letters, much like text or phone-based scams, to trick people. They might promise a large cash prize, lottery, sweepstakes, or other contests. The Office of the Attorney General in California warns that these scams usually ask for a small fee to release the winnings, but instead, the scammers take the money and disappear.
A recent case highlights the seriousness of these scams. A man in Las Vegas was sentenced to 51 years in prison for a scam that ran from 2010 to 2018. He stole millions from thousands of elderly victims, as reported by local FOX affiliate KVVU.
To protect yourself, it’s best to ignore letters that seem too good to be true. If you keep receiving such mail, report the repeat offenders to the authorities. Staying alert and informed is your best defense against these deceptive practices.
Final Thoughts
Your awareness and proactive steps are your best defense. Stay informed, stay skeptical, and keep your hard-earned assets and personal information secure from those who tirelessly seek to take them.
