Exposing the USPS Redelivery Payment Scam Stealing Data
Written by: Stelian Pilici
Published on:
A new phishing scam has emerged that preys on expectations of pending packages and dupes victims into paying fake USPS redelivery fees. This expansive guide will uncover everything you need to know about how this scam works, common ploys to watch for, and how to keep yourself protected.
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Overview of the Scam
This scam typically starts with an email, text message, or phone call pretending to come from the US Postal Service. The message claims a package intended for you requires redelivery due to an incorrect address, missed attempt, or other delivery problem.
You are provided with a tracking number and urged to click on a link or call a number to schedule redelivery and pay any associated fees. However, the link and number direct to fraudulent USPS sites and call centers seeking to steal entered personal and financial information.
Once your name, date of birth, account details, or other data is harvested, scammers steal identities, make illicit purchases, or sell the information on the black market. Many victims have reported stolen funds, compromised accounts, and nightmare struggles with identity recovery after falling for this scam.
How the Scam Works
This scam strategically deceives victims using the following deceptive tactics:
Crafting Fraudulent Messages
Scammers first fabricate SMS texts, emails, and phone scripts impersonating authentic USPS communications about missed deliveries. These specify a fake tracking number and claim redelivery must be scheduled and paid for online or over the phone.
The messages mimic real USPS redelivery formats and language. Email subjects state things like “USPS Delivery Attempt Failed,” “Schedule Redelivery of Your Package,” or “Action Required to Get Your Package.”
Including Realistic Tracking Numbers
Some messages include fake but convincing-looking USPS tracking numbers that victims can enter on the USPS website, showing a real package in transit.
Seeing real tracking results lends legitimacy to the alerts, so users trust the instructions to schedule redelivery by clicking the provided link without hesitation. In reality, the tracking numbers are fabricated.
Providing Urgent Call-to-Action
Notifications emphasize acting quickly to arrange redelivery before the package is returned to the sender. The urgency aims to prompt action before users notice any inconsistencies.
Threats of fees for failed delivery may also be cited to scare victims into compliance. These high-pressure tactics play on panic and fear.
Directing Victims to Phony Sites and Numbers
Links and phone numbers within the alerts appear to be direct to the genuine USPS at first glance. However, they actually route to sophisticated fake USPS websites and call centers controlled by scammers.
Both the fraudulent sites and call agents closely imitate the real USPS while making elaborate redelivery scheduling and payment processes seem compulsory. But it’s all a scam.
Collecting and Stealing Personal and Financial Data
To “schedule redelivery and pay fees,” the spoofed USPS sites and call agents prompt victims to enter personal identifiers like name, birth date, social security number, driver’s license details, address, phone number, and credit card or banking data.
In reality, USPS does not charge fees for redelivery attempts. Scammers steal all submitted information to commit financial fraud. Some fake sites also contain malware that infects users’ devices.
Exploiting Stolen Identities and Accounts
With the acquired details, scammers can easily engage in identity theft such as:
Opening fake credit cards or accounts
Filing phony tax returns for refunds
Stealing retirement account funds
Selling information bundles on the black market
Draining bank accounts using account numbers
Scammers may also use compromised usernames and passwords to directly access existing accounts and assets. This all leaves victims dealing with severe financial and identity devastation.
Pursuing Secondary Scams and Fraud
Scammers often follow initial cons with additional scams against the same victims:
Contacting victims posing as USPS investigators offering to recover stolen funds or reverse identity theft for an upfront fee they pocket.
Calling while impersonating bank reps to “assist” with fraud claims while actually tricking victims into allowing account access.
Sending links for “security updates” that actually contain malware granting access to devices and networks.
These supplement scams lead to more stolen money, data, and misery for victims already reeling from previous fraud.
What to Do If You’re a Victim
If you provided any sensitive information or paid any redelivery fees, take these steps right away:
Contact banks to halt charges on compromised accounts and cards. Monitor statements closely for signs of fraudulent use of funds and data.
Place 90-day fraud alerts on all credit files to make opening new illicit lines of credit more challenging. Continuously check credit reports as well.
Change all account passwords, and security questions, and enable two-factor authentication everywhere possible.
File detailed reports with the real USPS through their postal inspector website and with the FTC.
Ignore any supposed offers of help recovering lost money or restoring identity in exchange for advanced fees. These invariably indicate follow-up scams.
Red Flags to Spot This Scam
While this scam can look incredibly convincing, these tips can help expose it:
Messages urging you to pay redelivery fees that USPS would never actually require.
Links routing to mismatched domains outside of usps.com.
Fake sites lacking security certificates and the “HTTPS” designation.
Requests for unnecessary personal details beyond just address and payment info.
Caller IDs on scam calls displaying spoofed USPS numbers.
Follow-up contacts from “USPS” offering aid reversing damages for a fee.
How to Avoid This Scam
Protect yourself from the USPS redelivery payment scam using these key precautions:
Never click links or call numbers within unsolicited messages – independently find official USPS contacts.
Verify supposed delivery issues and redelivery options directly with USPS using confirmed channels before taking action.
Analyze sites carefully for valid domains, security certificates, and USPS branding.
Do not disclose personal or financial data through unverified sites or calls.
Keep software updated to detect fraudulent sites attempting malware installation.
Review USPS scam awareness resources to stay on top of the latest techniques targeting customers.
Use strong unique passwords and two-factor authentication to secure online accounts.
Is Your Device Infected? Check for Malware
If your device is running slowly or acting suspicious, it may be infected with malware. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is a great option for scanning your device and detecting potential malware or viruses. The free version can efficiently check for and remove many common infections.
Malwarebytes can run on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re trying to run a Malwarebytes scan, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps.
Malwarebytes For WindowsMalwarebytes For MacMalwarebytes For Android
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Windows to remove malware
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes for Windows
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
Your computer should now be free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your Mac should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan your phone with Malwarebytes for Android to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
Your phone should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
For additional facts about the fake USPS redelivery scam see these FAQs:
Are scammers able to spoof USPS tracking numbers?
Scammers can generate fake but valid-looking tracking numbers. However, they will either show no results or incorrect details when checked on USPS.com. Genuine tracking numbers match real in-transit packages when searched.
Why do scammers ask for credit card information?
Beyond using card numbers to make purchases, the card security code and expiration date allows scammers to commit identity theft. USPS would never contact you requesting financial account details.
Can fake USPS sites be detected through web browsers?
Sometimes. Current web browsers flag known fraudulent sites. However, scam sites can still slip through. You need to manually inspect sites for valid official domains and security certificates yourself before entering info.
Should I avoid clicking links on my mobile device?
Yes, extra caution should be used when clicking links on mobile devices. Fake sites can detect mobile users and send them to different scam sites optimized for smaller screens making them harder to analyze.
Can my information be stolen simply by visiting a scam site?
Possibly – some fraudulent sites can install malware and steal data simply via users visiting the page, even if no forms are completed. Having updated security software that runs frequent scans can detect these threats.
If scammed, how long do the ramifications typically last?
Stolen personal information can be used months or even years later for identity theft. Repairing compromised accounts and credit histories is a lengthy process. Maintain vigilance indefinitely once scammed, as damage can always re-emerge.
In Conclusion
This scam deceives recipients into paying fake USPS redelivery fees by spoofing legitimate notifications. However, understanding the common tricks these scammers use makes it easier to detect fraudulent communications and sites. Scrutinize all supposed USPS alerts thoroughly, and never provide information or payment without verifying legitimacy first through independent contact. Exercising skepticism protects you from having your identity and finances stolen.
How to Stay Safe Online
Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:
Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.
It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.
Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."
Install an ad blocker.
Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.
Be careful what you download.
A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.
Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.
Back up your data.
Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.
Choose strong passwords.
Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.
Be careful where you click.
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.
Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.
To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.
Meet Stelian Pilici
Stelian leverages over a decade of cybersecurity expertise to lead malware analysis and removal, uncover scams, and educate people. His experience provides insightful analysis and valuable perspective.
