Us Mail Service Text Scams and Tracking Information

You've probably received those suspicious texts claiming to be from the US Mail Service, asking you to verify your tracking information. These scams are becoming increasingly common.

The US Mail Service does not send texts asking for personal information or tracking numbers. They communicate through email or the official USPS website.

Be cautious of texts with typos, grammatical errors, or generic greetings. Scammers often use these tactics to appear legitimate.

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USPS Text Tracking is a convenient service that sends notifications to customers about their package delivery. Customers can request these notifications online or through their mobile device.

You can request specific types of notifications, such as Expected Delivery updates, Day of Delivery updates, or Package Delivered updates. There are six options in total, each providing a different level of tracking information.

To receive these notifications, you must have a United States based phone number and be using the phone in the US or have roaming coverage abroad. In some cases, customers with Canadian based phone numbers may also be eligible for Text Tracking.

USPS will only send text messages to customers who have registered for the service or initiated a text message with a provided tracking number. If you didn't sign up for the service, unsolicited texts are a red flag, indicating the message is likely a scam.

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The tracking response includes several key pieces of information, including the sender (USPS), tracking number (with the ZIP Code and routing information removed), status (e.g., Delivered, Notice Left), date, time, and location.

You'll also receive instructions on how to stop receiving further messages, which is a handy feature.

Here's a breakdown of what you can expect to see in a typical Text Tracking response:

Keep in mind that the response may vary slightly depending on the information you've requested.

If you're looking for updates on your package, you can choose from six different notification options.

The first option is Mobile device initiated request, where you can request a text response with the latest tracking activity for your package.

You can also request Expected Delivery updates, which will send you a text message with the expected or scheduled date information on your package.

For more specific updates, you can request Day of Delivery updates, which will send you a text message when USPS expects to deliver the package that day.

Package Delivered updates will send you a text message once the package has been delivered.

If you're waiting for a package to be ready for pickup, you can request Available for Pickup updates, which will send you a text message when the package is available for pickup.

Delivery Exception updates will send you a text message for each Delivery Exception type event on your package.

Lastly, you can opt for All Options, which will send you text messages for Expected Delivery updates, Day of Delivery updates, Available for Pickup updates, and/or Delivery Exception updates on your package.

USPS Text Tracking is available to customers with a United States based phone number using the phone in the United States, or who have a United States based phone number and obtain roaming coverage to use abroad.

In addition, USPS Text Tracking is available to customers with a Canadian based phone number, as this feature was added in early 2015.

However, it's worth noting that Text Tracking is not available to international users outside of the US and Canada, at least not yet.

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Be wary of text messages from "USPS" if you didn't sign up for their service online or initiate a text message with a provided tracking number.

If you know you never registered, that's an automatic indicator that the text is not legitimate.

A link in the text message is also a major red flag, as USPS says their legitimate text messages will never contain a link.

If you receive a text message claiming to be from a reputable service like USPS, be cautious if it contains a link. The legitimate text messages from USPS will never contain a link.

USPS has a free service that allows customers to sign up for package-tracking text messages, and these messages are always link-free.

If you receive a text message from "USPS" that you didn't sign up for, it's a red flag. This is because USPS said customers will only receive text messages from them if you registered for the service online or initiated a text message with a provided tracking number.

A legitimate text message from USPS will never contain a link. If you're unsure whether the text is legitimate, look for a link - if it's there, it's likely a scam.

If you know that you never registered for USPS's text service, it's an automatic indicator that the text is not legitimate. This is a clear sign that you should be cautious and not respond to the message.

If you're still unsure about the legitimacy of a text message, check the content of the message itself. A legitimate text message from USPS will contain a tracking number, status information, and instructions to stop receiving further messages.

If you've fallen victim to a smishing scam, it's essential to report it to the right authorities. You can report USPS-related scams to the USP Inspection Service at [email protected].

To report a USPS smishing scam, copy the body of the suspicious text message and paste it into a new email. Include your name, attach a screenshot of the text message showing the sender's phone number and the date sent, and provide any relevant details.

For non-USPS related scams, you can forward the smishing/text message to 7726 to assist with reporting the scam phone number. You can also report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission or the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3).

Here's a summary of the reporting locations: