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 Hello there!i have a chat by Jealina joli
In reply to Please help me maybe I am by Queenie
Yes, this might be a scam. Some scammers start this when they meet online. They promise to send a gift package. But when the package arrives, the courier says you must pay a fee.
Really, there is no package. The person you are met online is working with the fake courier service. They are trying to get your money. If you pay one time, they will ask for more money. Really, there is no package. You can stop talking to the courier. You can block the person online. You don't have to pay.
In reply to Yes, this might be a scam. by FTC Staff
In reply to Yes, this might be a scam. by FTC Staff
In reply to Yes, this might be a scam. by FTC Staff
In reply to I met someone from dating app by Annie
In reply to I have a package being by Worried
In reply to hi, i just receive a message by mary
In reply to hi, i just receive a message by mary
In reply to hi, i just receive a message by mary
In reply to hi, i just receive a message by mary
In reply to hi, i just receive a message by mary
In reply to I know someone online then he by Anitta
This looks like a scam. The man is telling a story and trying to take your money. You can tell the company no, and stop talking to the company. The company can't make you pay. The company can't send the police to your house.
In reply to I know someone online then he by Anitta
In reply to Ive been waiting on a package by I'm a dope
In reply to I have just received an email by Fad
In reply to Same scenario ma'am. Last by Belen
In reply to I have just received an email by Fad
In reply to I have just received an email by Fad
In reply to is the name of the person is by rosefaustorill…
In reply to I have just received an email by Fad
In reply to i have a friend in U S A he by eggnog
In reply to I have just received an email by Fad
In reply to I have just received an email by Fad
In reply to I have just received an email by Fad
In reply to I had a match on Tinder with by Claudia
In reply to i think this is happening to by Nixelle
In reply to I have just received an email by Fad
In reply to I have foreigner friend in by Anthony
Pagination