While the holiday season offers merriment, joy, and togetherness, fraudsters and their scams can dim the season. The United States Postal Inspection Service® is dedicated to helping Postal Service™ customers avoid trending scams throughout the holidays and all year long, so they can avoid being “snowed” by counterfeit postage, phishing and smishing scams, or mail and package theft. And we are committed to keeping our letter carriers safe, so they can help deliver the magic and wonder of the season.
Beginning on November 7, 2024, the USPIS “Don’t Get Snowed” holiday campaign will launch to provide tips to keep everyone safe from dangerous holiday scams. These “alerts” will appear on the USPS® and Inspection Service websites, Blue and LiteBlue, USPS ZONE and Inspection Service social media, and via digital ads, billboards, and commuter bus ads in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, D.C.
To ensure a safe holiday season, Postal Inspectors offer these safety tips:
The number of counterfeit stamps being sold online has increased, and so has the actual quality of the stamps. In the rush to send holiday cheer, it’s easy for customers to fall for deals that appear to save them money. But fake postage costs more in the end—in the forms of financial loss and potential legal consequences.
BE ON ALERT:
n Scammers offer stamps at 20-50 percent of their face value and target customers via social media platforms, third-party e-commerce sites, and pop-up ads. Counterfeit postage comes in a variety of designs and is often sold in bulk.
n Customers should purchase stamps from Approved Postal Providers®, which can include legitimate “big box” retailers.
n Report counterfeit stamps and sellers at uspis.gov/report.
Phishing and smishing are designed to steal personally identifiable information (PII), like credit card or social security numbers. In these scams, customers receive emails (phishing) or texts (smishing) that often contain either a fake URL or a file that, if opened, can activate a virus. Clicking on the link or opening the file allows fraudsters to steal PII.
BE ON ALERT:
n Don’t click on any links in emails or text messages from unknown senders.
n Know that USPS officials would never directly contact customers by email or text asking for payment or PII.
n Know that USPS would never contact a consumer via text message, unless the customer initiated the request.
n Keep computer and cell phone security software up to date.
n Forward USPS-related spam emails to spam@uspis.gov; forward smishing text message to 7726 or email spam@uspis.gov.
n Delete phishing emails and smishing text messages and block the sender(s).
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service makes thousands of arrests for mail theft each year. Mail and packages can be stolen at any time, but thieves especially target gift packages delivered during the holiday season.
BE ON ALERT:
n Customers should not leave letters and packages in their mailbox or at their door for any length of time. Instead, they should use Hold for Pickup, a delivery locker, or ask a trusted neighbor to grab a package if they are going to be away.
n Customers should request signature confirmation on packages and add package tracking.
n Customers should never send cash in the mail.
n If a customer moves, they should file a change of address with USPS and let their financial institutions know as soon as possible.
n If someone suspects they are a victim of mail theft, report it at uspis.gov/report.
As letter carriers across the country navigate through neighborhoods delivering holiday cheer, they can become targets for criminals looking to steal packages, mail, and even employee valuables and equipment. The Inspection Service is committed to making sure every letter carrier returns home safe. While we offer these tips for letter carriers, customers can also employ these simple steps to remain safe during the holiday season.
BE ON ALERT:
n If you see suspicious activity, call 9-1-1 immediately. Then, call postal inspectors at 877-876-2455.
n Pay attention to your surroundings this holiday season — and all year long.
n For letter carriers — don’t use headphones or other distracting devices while delivering mail and packages.
n Ensure valuables remain out of sight and secure. Thieves don’t care who they steal from; even your personal belongings can be stolen.
n For more information on what postal inspectors are doing to protect employees and customers, go to uspis.gov/project-safe-delivery.
The Inspection Service’s “Don’t Get Snowed” holiday campaign will help keep everyone safe and prevent fraudsters from stealing the season’s joy. For more information, go to the holiday website at uspis.gov/holiday-scams-2024.
To report a crime with a connection to the U.S. Mail, contact us at 877-876-2455, or go to uspis.gov/report.
— Communications, Governance, and Strategy,
U.S. Postal Inspection Service, 10-31-24
