‘Tis the season for scams.

As the holiday season reaches its peak, the United States Postal Service is warning customers to be wary of holiday scams when sending and receiving gifts this year.

“While the holidays offer cheer, joy and togetherness, scammers and their scams can darken the season,” the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Postal Service’s federal law enforcement arm, said on its website.

The USPS is warning customers about some of the scams they are vulnerable to, including the risk of being “snowed” by counterfeit mail, phishing and smishing scams, or mail and package theft.

Here’s what types of email scams you should be aware of and what you need to know about them.

‘Smishing’

“Smishing” is one of the most popular scams – especially around holidays – and involves fraudulent text messages that indicate package tracking.

This is a form of phishing that aims to steal personally identifiable information (PII), such as credit card and social security numbers, and account passwords.

Smishing is specifically a text message or a phone number.

“Victims typically receive a fraudulent text message designed to trick the recipient into disclosing their personal or financial information,” warns USPIS. “These scammers often attempt to impersonate a government agency, bank or other company to lend legitimacy to their claims.”

While the USPS offers free tools to track certain packages, it does not send customers text messages or emails without the customer first requesting the service with a specific tracking number – and it does not include a link.

To request service, text the package’s tracking number to 28777 (2USPS). An SMS that comes from the agency generally contains a tracking number, package status, date, time, location and instructions to stop receiving further messages. It would be the same here too not be a clickable link.

According to USPS, a text might look like this: “USPS 01123456789123456789, Estimated delivery by: Monday, September 11, 2017. Reply STOP to cancel.”

If you believe you have received a fraudulent text message from a sender claiming to be the Postal Service, we recommend that you send an email to [email protected] and take the following steps:

• Copy and paste the body of the suspicious text message into a new email without clicking on the web link.
• Include your name in the email and also include a screenshot of the text message with the sender’s phone number and the date it was sent.
• Be sure to include all relevant details in your email – for example, whether you clicked the link, whether you lost money, whether you provided any personal information, or whether there was an impact on your credit or your personal status.
• The Postal Inspection Service will contact you if further information is required.
• Forward the smishing/SMS message to 7726 (SPAM) who will help you report the fraudulent phone number.

“Snowed in” by counterfeit postage.

The number of counterfeit stamps sold online has increased and the quality of the counterfeit stamps has also increased, making them difficult to distinguish.

“Looking for a good deal on stamps online? Is a significant discount of up to fifty percent on an order of United States Forever Stamps too good to pass up? If so, keep scrolling, they are likely counterfeits,” the USPIS said.

Scammers often attempt to target customers through social media, third-party e-commerce sites, and pop-up ads.

To ensure you are not purchasing counterfeit stamps, the USPIS recommends purchasing directly from USPS or from approved postal providers such as: B. reputable “big box” or warehouse retailers that have resale agreements with the Postal Service.

Mail and package theft

While mail and packages can be stolen year-round, the USPIS warns that “thieves particularly target gift packages delivered during the holidays.”

To protect you and your mail, USPIS recommends picking up your mail and packages immediately rather than leaving them for long periods of time.

If you cannot be home to receive a package, make another arrangement or use USPS Hold Mail Service. Recipients can also use the Hold for Pickup option and pick up the package at their local post office.

USPIS warns against sending cash through the mail because it is not worth the risk. Additionally, if you don’t receive a check, credit card, or other valuable mail, contact the sender as soon as possible to verify.

If you are the sender and are sending something important, consider requesting signature confirmation for the recipient.