Scam Alert . Delayed Package Delivery Notice

I received a 'text' message from the 'USPS tracking center" advising that my package was being held for 'insufficient information on addressee'. Turns out it is a scam. The apparent purpose is to extract information including credit card to pay an additional postage fee. I should have recognized it as a scam immediately as only family has my cell phone # or a few local businesses, which ID when received. (contact listed). In my initial panic I started to go down the comply road, then when I saw the info being requested I backed out.

I went to the USPS tracking site & saw my package out for delivery. The tracking # noted in the text was different from the Vendor's so that threw up a flag. Looking at the sender address, I realized it was a private Gmail account not a USPS government account. Further into the info gathering an 'additional' fee request popped. Two more red flags. (If USPS wants $$ I think they still leave a notice of delivery w/location of package or item & reason delivery not made. Fee would be noted & paid when picked up. (I think, not really sure)

Anyway, I also had vendor verify address & were sending to address used in past orders. Just a caution to those who sell and or receive small packages in their collecting that the OLDER generation might be gullible in giving out information to insure package delivery.

The USPS communicates through their own email system, does not message for fees (or call), does not use private individual email accounts, (unless Joy is working a scam & is contracting out services off government servers to assist in the hacking).

I should have seen it upfront as USPS has my email (Fulfillment Services) but not my cell phone#. This is being reported to the USPIS with the scammer email address for further action.

Had the same problem last year only it was with UPS. even had a pic of the package. went to UPS to settle it. they said it was a scam.

No offense, but this is the kind of scam a savvy 10 year old could spot a mile away. Amazed people fall for these sorts of things, like the "IRS" calling for your banking info to send you a refund.

This scam is so widespread, I get about 5 of these a week. I used to block the caller number, only for it to come back the following day with a slightly different number so now I just delete the texts. Between these failed delivery scam texts and the "your bank account starting with number xxxx has been frozen" type texts for banks I have sometimes never even heard of, I delete more scam texts on a daily basis than I receive legitimate ones. It is annoying and undoubtedly profitable for the scammers who wait for their victims who through emotional reaction or anger end up replying.

When reporting a spam email, the authorities need not only the original email but also the important INTERNET HEADERS associated with it.

Here is how to do that when using Microsoft OUTLOOK for email:

Why do we still see scam emails touting large inheritences from unknown overseas relatives more than two decades after the Nigerian Prince emails started going around?... because they work.

The unsavvy, the naieve, the opportunistic, the elderly... for every 10,000 emails these mass spammers/phishers send out, they only need 1 or 2 to pay dividends to make it worthwhile.

My mother will click on any pop-up window that claims that there is a problem with her computer and that "they" can fix, because "Bill Gates and Microsoft wouldn't lie to me."

It's telemarketer predators for a new generation.

I notified USPS today of the issue. The use of the logos' (copyrighted so infringement issue) certain terminology to make it 'real' will not immediately raise a flag (even to an astute 10 year old). It should have hit me sooner yes, (I do not give out my cell phone#) The red flags were really flying after I started their respond process, which I shut down. I was going to respond directly to the author's Gmail account but the realized I would be providing information needed to foster further attempts. BUT I CAUGHT IT!! These type of scams are somewhat well developed & immediately identifying them, especially if a new type, is almost impossible. But the astute person, on guard for such instances will figure it out as the RED FLAGS start to show up. I backed out before information was extracted.. I received the package with no issues from my USPS carrier yesterday.