Is This Text REALLY From the USPS?

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office issued a Scam Alert today. There has been an increase in reports of a text scam requesting credit card information that claims to be from the United States Postal Service (USPS). 

The text informs the intended victim there is a problem with the delivery of an ordered item involving an incorrect address. The victim is instructed to pay a minimal fee for an address change by giving a credit card number. It isn’t long before much larger charges made by the scammer appear on the credit card bill. 

The texts appear to be randomly sent, counting on the fact that so many people order items online and therefore assume the text is related to a recent order. If the link within the text is clicked on, it takes the victim to a legitimate looking website that is fraudulent. 

Anyone that wants to verify the delivery of an ordered item is encouraged to check on the website that facilitated the original purchase to check on delivery status. Do not click on random links. According to the USPS, they will never contact anyone by text message and never ask for your credit card information by text.