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SCAMS BULLITIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California.

August 12, 2022

PHONY MESSAGES

Attribution Federal Trade Commission

That unexpected text from the Postal Service (USPS), Costco, or The Home Depot telling you about an unclaimed package or a survey you can complete to claim a freebie is NOT from them. It is a scam.

There has seen an increase in reports from people receiving text messages that look like they are from well-known names like USPS, Costco, Home Depot and others.

Alert: They are from impersonators. The details vary, but the scammers are after the same thing: your money and your personal information.

 You may receive a text from scammers pretending to be USPS and asking you to confirm your debit card details so you can get an undelivered package. Or you might get texts about a chance to win a free gift card or a power tool. To claim your “reward,” you’re told to click on the link, answer some questions, and pay for shipping. Don’t do it.

No matter what the unexpected text says, the advice is the same:

Don’t click on links or respond to unexpected texts — including ones asking you to fill out surveys to get free items. If you think it could be legit, contact the company using a website or phone number you know is real. Don’t use the information in the text message.

Do not pay to get a package redelivered. The real USPS will not contact you about a delivery (unless you submitted a request first and give a tracking number) — and they’ll never demand payment to redeliver a package.

Have you spotted an impersonation scam? Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.