Expecting packages shipped to your home this holiday season? You’re not the only one… scammers are, too.
Did you get a text message with a shipment tracking code and a link to update your delivery preferences? It's a scam. Learn more.
We’ve learned of a phony “delivery failure notification” email making the rounds. It looks like it’s from the U.S. Postal Service — but it’s not. The email says you missed a delivery. But, it says, if you print the attached form and take it to your local post office, you can pick up your package and avoid penalties. The message might also include a link for more details.
Here’s the truth: the email is bogus and there is no package. And if you download the attachment or click on a link, you’re likely to end up with a virus or malware on your device.
Con artists often use the names and logos of familiar organizations to get under your guard. So how do you tell what’s legit and what’s a scam? Here are some ways to spot a bogus email:
- It tells you to click on a link or download an attachment
- It urges you to take immediate action
- It asks you to “re-confirm” personal or financial information
Another sure sign an email is a scam? If you hover over the link in the email, it won’t show the official website of the supposed sender — in this case, the U.S. Postal Service website.
For more tips, check out our articles on phishing and malware. And if you have questions about a delivery by the U.S. Postal Service, visit usps.com or call 1-800-ASK-USPS.
It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.
The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.
We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.
In reply to I also received an email same by Lein
In reply to I also received an email same by Lein
In reply to I also received an email same by Lein
In reply to Hi, the same company e by Rheam
In reply to A friend sent a package with by I am pretty
This sounds like a scam. This is how the scam usually works:
A scammer makes friends with you, and asks you to accept a package of something valuable, like cash. Then, you're told you must pay a customs charge, tax or other fee to release the package. The scammer urges you to pay.
But really, there is no package of cash. The scammer is cooperating with the fake "customs officer" or bank. If you deposit money into that bank account, the scammer will get it. You will lose the money. There isn't any package of cash coming to you.
In reply to This sounds like a scam. This by FTC Staff
In reply to A friend sent a package with by I am pretty
In reply to Hello good day,can i ask andc by Cherry Pie Sandoval
In reply to Hi! I have the same situation by Reigen Mae Pimentel
In reply to I'm so worried I have a by emz23
This story about "customs charges" sounds like a scam. You do not need to pay any "charges."
Some scammers make friends online, and ask the friend to receive a package. The scammer says the package has confidential items, or gold or jewelry.
But then, the friend learns she must pay customs charges, or taxes or other fees to get the package. The scammer tells the friend to pay the "customs officer." But really, there is no package. The scammer is cooperating with the fake "customs officer." When the friend pays the "customs officer," the scammer will get that money.
In reply to I'm so worried I have a by emz23
In reply to I'm so worried I have a by emz23
In reply to I'm so worried I have a by emz23
In reply to Same situation. A friend of by Sossy.mai
This sounds like a scam. The scam can start when you meet someone online. They offer to send you a gift or package. But when the package arrives, a company says must pay a fee or taxes to get the package.
But the courier service is a fake. The person you are chatting with online online is working with the fake courier service. They are trying to get your money. If you pay, they will take your money. There is no package for you. This is a scam to get your money. You don't have to pay.
In reply to I think he is a scammer he by emz23
In reply to I need help.. I wanna ask if by alijahmontes011
Yes, this could be a scam. Some scams start when you meet a person online. They promise to send you a package. But when the package arrives, the courier says you must pay a fee for tax or clearance.
When the scam happens, there is no package. The person online is working with the fake courier service to take your money. If you pay one time, they ask for more money. You can stop talking to the courier. You can block the person online. You can report the person to the website.
In reply to I have received a some what by Halo
This sounds like a scam.
If someone says you won a prize, but they want you to send money first, that is a usually a scam. They tell you to pay "fees" and "taxes" to get a prize. But really, after you send money, you will not get a prize. This is just a scam to get your money.
Also, do not give your bank account information to someone you don't know. They might say they will deposit money, but they can also take your money. If you really won a prize, they can send you a check or find another way to deliver your prize.
In reply to I met someone online who said by bates60
In reply to Hello,is union trust global by Hello
This could be a scam. Some scams start when you meet a person online. They promise to send you a gift. But when the package arrives, the courier says you must pay a fee for tax or clearance.
When the scam happens, there really is no package. The courier serivce is fake too. The person online is working with the fake courier service to take your money. If you pay one time, they ask for more money. You can stop talking to the courier. You can block the person online. You can report the person to the online site where you met.
In reply to This could be a scam. Some by FTC Staff
In reply to We're same situation by Nicole gica
In reply to Hello,is union trust global by Hello
In reply to Same experience. I met a guy by Jade
In reply to Hey where on a same situation by bless
In reply to i do have same experience by LIEZL BANDOLA CAMBA
In reply to i do have same experience by LIEZL BANDOLA CAMBA
In reply to i do have same experience by LIEZL BANDOLA CAMBA
In reply to Same thing happened to me. I by Bamboleo
In reply to Hey where on a same situation by bless
In reply to Same here now my situation by Sheila bayola
In reply to Same here now my situation by Sheila bayola
In reply to Hello mam me i know that by Ladypink
In reply to Same situation.. His name is by Honey ko
In reply to Same here now my situation by Sheila bayola
In reply to Same here now my situation by Sheila bayola
In reply to Same here now my situation by Sheila bayola
Pagination