By Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times (TNS)

The week before Christmas is crucial when you're sending packages or receiving last-minute deliveries through the U.S. Postal Service. But watch out because scammers will attempt to make the most of you using text messages.

Consumers eagerly awaiting a package might be deceived by an unsolicited text message posing as a delivery update or a request for account information from the postal service. This variety of text message could contain an online link and/or a phone number requesting a response.

If you’ve gotten not signed up for a USPS tracking request for a selected package, postal officials strongly advise you to not click on the link or reply to the message.

When an unknown phone number sends a fraudulent text message designed to trick you into replying along with your personal or financial information, this scam is generally known as “smishing.”

“These scammers often attempt to impersonate a government agency, bank or other company to lend legitimacy to their claims,” they said US Postal Inspection Service.

Using this fraud method, fraudsters seek personal information, including account usernames and passwords, credit and debit card information, Social Security numbers, and private identification numbers.

“Scammers then get to work manipulating your personal information, which they can sell and/or use for other scams,” they said Federal Communications Commission.

If you receive a text message from an unknown number, from an agency you haven't signed up for text alerts with, or that generally looks suspicious, it's probably a scam, in line with FCC officials.

As you wait for packages to reach this holiday season, experts provide you with advice on methods to avoid smishing scams and offer several tools to assist you to keep track of your packages.

How to avoid smishing scams

It starts with remembering that firms and agencies generally don't contact you to ask to your username and password information, he said FBI officials.

If you receive a smishing message, experts say:

– Don’t answer. When you open the text message, don’t click on a link, don’t reply to the text message, or call a number you don’t recognize. Even if the message comprises the “SMS STOP” choice to stop messaging, don’t respond.

– If you wish to check with the corporate/agency that the text is supposedly from, search for the client service phone number or email on a receipt or on the corporate/agency website.

– Delete all suspicious text messages.

– Protect all sensitive personal information – bank accounts, health records, social media accounts, etc. – by utilizing multi-factor authentication to access these web sites or accounts.

Also note that the post office won’t ever send you an unsolicited text message a few package or mail item.

A suspicious text message from the “Postal Service”

There are various tools you need to use to trace a package within the mail.

You may also log in Text tracking by sending an SMS to Enter the number 28777 and include your tracking number within the message body.

USPS replies include the acronym “USPS,” the tracking number, when your package might be available for pickup, and the phrase “Reply STOP to cancel.” You is not going to be asked to reply.

To track mail and packages sent to your property, you possibly can log in Daily digest emails This preview shows what’s going to arrive that day and when other items are expected to be delivered.

How to report a smishing scam

Report an email-related smishing scam to the USPS Inspection Service by sending an email to spam@uspis.gov. In the e-mail, include your name and the next information:

– Copy and paste the suspicious text message into the e-mail.

– Take a screenshot of the text message with the sender's phone number and sent date.

– Provide all details, e.g. B. whether you clicked on the link, whether you responded to the message with personal information and whether personal information or banking information was affected by the fraud.

Once your email is distributed, the inspection service will contact you if further information is required.

If you receive a smishing text message that claims to be from one other government agency or retailer, you possibly can Report it to the FCC online – or for Spanish, call (888) 225-5322 – or the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.

FCC officials also recommend that you just report the scam to your local law enforcement agency.

Originally published: December 18, 2024 at 10:03 am PST

On May 2, Vo Nguyen pleaded guilty to assault on a federal worker with a deadly or dangerous weapon and discharging a firearm in reference to a violent crime.

The incident occurred on April 1, 2023. Nguyen yelled at a postal employee who was delivering mail to his home, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a press release.

According to prosecutors, Nguyen admitted that he “aggressively approached” the postal employee and “acted as if he wanted to fight.”

The postal employee ran away. Nguyen followed him and the postal employee sprayed him with pepper spray.

Nguyen went back home, grabbed a 9mm pistol, got in his automobile and began on the lookout for the postal employee.

After finding the postal employee, Nguyen fired five to 6 shots at him, paused after which fired five more shots, prosecutors said.

The postal employee ran in the other way Nguyen was driving. Nguyen turned around and drove after the postal employee, who took cover behind a parked SUV.

According to prosecutors, Nguyen stopped in front of the SUV and fired three more shots. He then got out of his automobile and chased the postal employee, who pepper-sprayed him again.

Nguyen was arrested the identical day, and a federal grand jury indicted him the next month.

The verdict was announced on Thursday. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick sentenced Nguyen to 3 years' probation after his release from prison. A restitution hearing is scheduled for October 10.

The robbery occurred just before noon within the parking zone of the Southwood Apartments at 2850 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto police said in a news release.

According to authorities, the victim, a person in his 60s, was delivering mail in the world when two men approached him and demanded his mail keys. He handed over the keys but refused additional instructions at hand over his wallet and mobile phone.

A fight ensued wherein the robbers eventually knocked the postman to the bottom.

The victim described the suspects as Latino, about 20 years old, about 5 feet 7 inches tall and of average construct. They were each wearing black hoodies with the hood pulled up.

The men left the scene in an older model Nissan Altima whose paint looked old.

The victim suffered minor injuries to his face, chest and knee. He refused medical attention on site.

Investigators are investigating whether the identical men robbed one other mail carrier in December. This case stays unsolved.

The latest robbery got here lower than per week after a 19-year-old Sacramento man and a 17-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of robbing two mail carriers in Belmont and Palo Alto. In each of the May 11 incidents, mail keys were also forcibly taken.

Anyone with information concerning the cases can contact police at 650-329-2413; Those wishing to stay anonymous can call or text 650-383-8984 or email paloalto@tipnow.org.