USPS warns against holiday text scams targeting online shoppers

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — In the thick of this holiday season, scammers are pretending to be postal workers to try and trick people into handing over personal information.

Scammers are always finding new ways to trick shoppers. The latest scheme involves a text notification that may look legit, but isn't.

Unexpected text messages should make you think twice.

"It's absurd," Adam Burton said. "It's Christmas, and so everybody is trying to get their kids presents and get their kids on stuff. So, I feel like you just have to be careful in how you go about things and how you respond to things."

The most recent scam includes someone posing as a representative of the United State Postal Service via text.

"It's very tragic," Burton said.

The Floyd County Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook to warn southern Indiana residents. "Don't fall for it."

The text says a package is being held up and to get your delivery click a link and enter credit card information.

"These people do not care. They don't," Denisha Thompson, another shopper, said.

USPS has confirmed this text is a scam.

"I feel bad about it, to be honest, because a lot of people, they work a hard life, and they're just trying to better themselves," Thompson said.

Similar scams are also circulating via text. The main red flag: Cell phone numbers from unknown senders with unfamiliar links attached.

"It seems like the older you get the more scams you get," said Louisville resident Paula Guinn.

Law enforcement asks you to delete the texts and report them to your local post office. Whatever you do, do not click on unfamiliar links, or provide personal or financial information.

"It's very depressing," Guinn said. "It can put some people in a bind, and can take everything you have."

USPS never contacts a consumer via text message, unless the customer initiated the request.

"To all you scammers, scamming all day, just go get you a job. You gonna have to get you a job one day, just get you a job," Burton said.

The holiday scams don't stop there.

USPS reports the number of counterfeit stamps being sold online has increased. It says "scammers peddle fake stamps on social media marketplaces, e-commerce sites via third party vendors, and other websites.

Counterfeit stamps are often sold in bulk quantities at a significant discount–anywhere from 20 to 50 percent of their face value. That’s a tell-tale sign they’re bogus."

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, or if you’re unsure about a message, it’s best to err on the side of caution.

For more information on how to report USPS-related text scams, click here.

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