USPS gives tips on how to avoid being scammed

Postal inspectors are reminding consumers to be alert for imposter scams during National Consumer Protection Week – March 2-8.

According to a press release from the U.S. Postal Service, imposters are scammers working to convince consumers they are a friend or relative or that they are from a legitimate source, such as a bank or government agency. Fraudsters then take personally identifiable information and use it to steal victims’ money.

“There are many types of imposter scams,” Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the Criminal Investigations Group says. “But they all start with messages like, ‘I’m in trouble…,’ ‘I need…,’ ‘You’ve won!..,’ or ‘I have a great offer for you!’ These scammers lull consumers into a false sense of trust, gain access to privileged information, and then drain financial accounts.”

Shen provided the following tips consumers can use to protect themselves from these scammers:

• Take your time to make financial decisions. Whether it’s investments or unsolicited offers, like the lottery or sweepstakes, don’t rush into sending your money to someone you don’t know.

• Is it really a representative from your bank sending that email or text? To be certain, call your bank at the number you were given when you opened your account. Don’t call a number that you haven’t verified and never click on any links in an email or text.

• For grandparents, before sending money to help a grandchild who says they’re in a “desperate situation,” make sure it’s them. Call them or their parents at a number you recognize to confirm they sent you a message.

• If you meet someone over the internet who professes their love for you right away, but needs financial assistance to meet you, exit the conversation as quickly as you can.

The Postal Service will never send you an unsolicited text. Any text or email claiming you have a USPS delivery problem is designed to steal your personal information. Delete these messages, but before you do, send the bogus text or email to spam@uspis.gov.

Put your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry at 1-888-382-1222 or at www.donotcall.gov.

If you are a victim of a scam or suspect fraud, report it by submitting an online report to the Inspection Service or call at 877-876-2455.

For more information on how to spot an imposter, visit www.uspis.gov/ncpw-2025.