How To Create A Fake Tracking Number That Works
J.R. Tietsort
Chief Information Security Officer at Aura
Tin can USPS Tracking Numbers Be Faked?
When Reed Hoskinson's gardening equipment didn't arrive on time, he assumed it was a delivery snag. But later on weeks without his package, he decided to take matters into his own easily.[*]
Beginning, Reed tried to contact the seller. He emailed over and over to no avail. Then, he filed a resolution claim with PayPal. As office of their investigation, PayPal reached out to the seller, who finally provided a tracking number.
Reed was relieved. He thought perhaps his supplies would bear witness up after all. But this was only the beginning of an elaborate scam.
The USPS tracking number was for a parcel that had already been delivered to a different address. Frustrated, Reed looked up other means to get in bear on with the vendor. In his search, he discovered that Google flagged the site as fraudulent. With that evidence, and weeks of corresponding with PayPal, Reed finally got his money dorsum.
Non everyone is then lucky. This story was picked upwards by local news, merely fake USPS tracking numbers and USPS text scams have plagued people throughout the Us — leading to credit card fraud and fifty-fifty identity theft.
What Is a USPS Text Scam?
A USPS text scam is a grade of phishing in which a malicious thespian sends text messages pretending to be from the U.Southward. Mail.
USPS scam text messages claim that you lot "missed" a delivery and include a link to reschedule it. Just the link isn't from the U.South. Postal Service, and clicking on it can lead to devastating consequences.
Thankfully, in that location are some commonalities amidst USPS text scams that can help you learn how to identify them.
- Strange telephone numbers: Typically, SMS marketing messages come from five-digit numbers, but USPS text scams come from personal 10-digit jail cell telephone numbers.
- A lack of information: If you've missed a delivery that y'all weren't expecting, y'all're probably curious about what it might be. But USPS text scams don't always provide bundle tracking numbers. And if they do, they don't match your confirmation email.
- An unofficial URL: Links in USPS text scams look similar to what yous'd see on the real USPS website, only they are slightly dissimilar. Look out for dashes or actress words and numbers, such as "usps-parcel-tracking.com." Scammers ofttimes spoof website URLs, brandish names, and telephone numbers to convince victims that they are interacting with a trusted source.
- A "settlement" amount: Sometimes, USPS text scams allude to a "settlement" payment. Settlement amounts are pocket-sized, betwixt $1–$5, so they seem accurate simply are just part of a larger ploy to assemble credit bill of fare information.
If you're not examining your text messages closely, it's easy to overlook these clues. Scammers know that USPS is a trusted system.
Plus, many people accept go more avid online shoppers in recent years. So getting a notification almost a missed delivery doesn't seem that unusual. Fraudsters transport texts to enough people that they are likely to con at least a few obliging victims.
📚 Related: Was Your Amazon Package Stolen? Hither'south What To Practise →
What happens if you click on a USPS smishing link?
USPS text scams are a form of smishing, which is short for "SMS phishing." Scammers transport fraudulent text messages impersonating a person or business organization — in this instance, the United States Mail service — to collect sensitive information or spread malware. Smishing texts contain embedded links which might be:
- Phishing websites designed to steal information. A link may prompt you to "log in" to your USPS business relationship. Scammers tin steal that username and password and apply information technology to access other applications.
- Inadvertent malware downloads. Links may prompt yous to download a "USPS" app. The app looks legitimate at get-go glance just infects your phone with malware or spyware. You won't exist able to employ your phone, and scammers will steal (and potentially sell) your information stored on it.
- Requests for payments to release packages. You lot may be asked to pay a fee to "relinquish" your parcel. On the dorsum end, scammers steal your fiscal data.
USPS text smishing scams can expose sensitive information, contaminate your phone with malware, and fifty-fifty crusade full-diddled identity theft.
📚 Related: How To Block Websites on iPhones and iPads [iv Means] →
How Scammers Target You With False Tracking Numbers
USPS-related scams aren't limited to text messages. They can employ to tracking numbers, besides.
Customers apply USPS tracking numbers to come across where their packet is in real-time. They tin can also become an judge of the package'south commitment date.
Scammers circumvent this process to get free products, steal private information, or access people's bank accounts and debit cards. Here are some of the ways that scammers use simulated tracking numbers to trick unsuspecting victims:
Commitment completed a week before you lot placed the social club
Mr. Hoskinson'south story, described at the commencement of this article, is a prime case of tracking number fraud.
In these instances, threat actors create phony websites to "sell" products that they never intend to send. Scammers publicize these sites on social media to entice people to buy.
When folks purchase items from the fake store, they receive a confirmation email with a USPS tracking number. Just the tracking number pertains to a dissimilar order that'due south already been delivered.
Customers contact the seller — but emails go unread, calls go unanswered, and scammers walk away with money in their pockets.
What to do:
1. Search for the tracking number on the USPS website. Confirm that the delivery was:
- Made to the wrong location
- Completed with the wrong items
- Made before you even placed an society
2. Endeavour to contact the seller. Often, this will not result in a answer; but information technology will serve equally evidence in future investigations.
iii. Contact the payment processor, such equally PayPal or your credit carte du jour company. They are the best sources for recovering your payment.
4. Written report mail fraud to the Postal Inspection Service. Constabulary enforcement agents will investigate your instance and make others aware of trending scams.
📚 Related: The Latest UPS Text Scams To Watch Out For (2022) →
Wrong tracking number
Some scammers have learned that they don't even have to provide working tracking numbers. They just ship what looks like a normal order confirmation e-mail with a phony number. Recipients never cheque the tracking number until they haven't received a bundle (or received a package with the wrong items).
What to practice:
- Cantankerous-check the tracking number on the USPS site. If it doesn't pull up your order, information technology's likely fraudulent.
- Reach out to the USPS aid desk to confirm the faulty tracking number.
- Contact the payment processor, such as PayPal. Again, whichever payment processor yous used is the best source for recovering your payment.
- Open a case with the Postal Inspection Service to protect yourself and others.
Incorrect USPS deliveries
Co-ordinate to the Improve Business concern Bureau (BBB), there's an uptick in fraudulent USPS, FedEx, and Amazon deliveries during the holiday season. People order items online and receive a confirmation email from USPS with a tracking number. Just when their packet arrives, it's completely unlike from what they ordered.
One person purchased a six-pes artificial Christmas tree but "received a bottle brush Christmas tree no bigger than her manus." Another person interviewed past the BBB ordered a auto washer and instead received "a yellow shirt not worth $2."
As you might expect, these victims attempted to contact the sellers and got no response.
What to do:
- Reach out to the seller. Again, they probably will not respond, but this is the first pace in every investigation.
- Contact the payment processor, such as PayPal. They are aware of these potential scams and will refund customers when provided with evidence.
- Open a case with the Postal Inspection Service. Submit all relevant paperwork; this will provide the Post Office with the best chance of catching the perpetrator.
💡 Related: The Worst Holidays Scams of The Year (and How To Avoid Them) →
You've Received a Faux USPS Tracking Number If:
- Links to tracking numbers look fishy. I skillful thing almost text messages is that y'all can usually see the full link. Links that don't match "USPS.com" are part of a scam.
- Your tracking number doesn't show up in the USPS portal. Every tracking number is unique and should friction match the i you received in a confirmation email. If information technology doesn't appear in a search, information technology'south a bogus number.
- Your delivery engagement was before than when you lot placed an order. USPS scams can involve real tracking numbers. The take hold of is that those tracking numbers are for orders that were already delivered. Double-check tracking numbers on the USPS site, and read commitment information advisedly.
- You lot receive follow-up emails or texts asking for too much information. Presumably, packages already have your address on them. If y'all missed a delivery, or USPS has problem delivering a package, they might enquire y'all to cull a new delivery time. They will not enquire for your address, credit card number, or other sensitive data.
- You're asked to pay for something actress. USPS does not charge a fee for redeliveries. Any tracking number links that take you to a portal where you lot're asked for bank business relationship or credit carte information are imitation.
- You bought heavily discounted items. Scammers create fake eastward-commerce stores with unduly discounted items. If you lot don't become a receipt, or you receive an e-mail address with a non-traceable tracking number, information technology's part of a scam.
- Y'all never received your delivery. If it's been over a month and yous still haven't received your package, expect up the tracking number on the USPS website. You've been scammed if the tracking number doesn't bear witness upwards or isn't valid. Tracking links may as well take you to suspicious sites — another indicator of a fake USPS tracking number.
If you believe yous've been targeted by a phishing scheme, study the incident to USPS. And if you accidentally provided whatsoever information, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov.
Don't Fall for Fake USPS Tracking Numbers
Even though fake USPS tracking numbers are on the rise, there are a few ways to safeguard your USPS deliveries and avoid falling for scams.
Shop with legitimate online stores
- When online shopping, try to notice the store's contact information and address. Scan the website footer or the Contact Us tab in the top navigation. Consider a lack of contact data a red flag.
- Next, check for BBB reviews. Angry customers may have already reported unlawful action.
- Lastly, take a hard look at the store'due south prices. If they seem too good to exist truthful, they probably are. If other comparable brands charge double or triple the price, be wary of the vendor.
Verify tracking numbers right after purchases
- Afterwards you make a buy, you should receive an email containing a tracking number for your items. Try plugging that tracking number into the USPS website right away.
- Even though your package may not be prepared yet, there should be a message such every bit, "Created label" to indicate that your order was received and is beingness shipped.
Utilise the USPS Informed Delivery service
- This service allows you to preview your post and manage deliveries. USPS Informed Delivery notifies you when your mail is near to arrive and shows images of what your mail looks similar.
- Knowing what's coming will assistance you pay more attending to USPS-related alerts and place any fraudulent USPS text scams early.
Sign up for USPS Electronic Signature Online®
- Consider the USPS Electronic Signature service every bit an added layer of security. When y'all sign up for this service, you're allowed to electronically sign for sure types of postal service.
- Carriers and clerks cannot deliver insured items over $500 without your physical signature.
Block spam texts
- If y'all receive a text that seems like a scam, delete and cake it immediately. You should also update your phone software regularly to take the most upwards-to-date spam protection.
Add detailed delivery instructions
- With USPS Commitment Instructions, you can specify where shipments should be delivered. Doing this upfront ensures that packages are left at your designated location. Whatever unexpected deliveries, texts, or emails should put you on high alarm.
Report whatever missing mail
- If you lot ordered something that never arrived, make full out a Missing Mail request. USPS volition ship you a confirmation email and periodic updates most their search.
- USPS volition also notify you if a packet is illegitimate or never existed, then yous tin file insurance claims if necessary.
Flag USPS texts scams
- Informing the authorities of a scam helps protect yourself and others. The USPS team volition try to discover and quash the source of the texts or false tracking numbers. You lot tin can access USPS security FAQs here or send an email to spam@uspis.gov.
Smishing Works Just If Yous Respond
USPS text message scams and fake USPS tracking numbers are hounding unsuspecting buyers across the land who are losing fourth dimension, money, privacy, and a sense of security in the process.
The good news is that yous can evade scams by knowing how they work. Appoint with legitimate online stores, sign upwards for USPS services, and sentinel out for telltale signs of fraud.
USPS does not send unsolicited emails or text messages virtually deliveries. They certainly don't asking personal data or payments to release packages.
Customers need to annals online or initiate a text message with USPS for tracking updates. Responses from the Postal Service volition also never incorporate URLs.
Simply USPS isn't the just target of personal identity scams. New attack vectors are constantly popping up, and you must exist prepared. Curious near how you tin protect your personal information and identity?
Consider Aura's #1-rated digital security solution. Aureola monitors your bank, credit, and investment accounts for signs of fraud upward to 4x faster than other providers. When suspicious activity is detected, Aura notifies y'all in near-real time.
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Source: https://www.aura.com/learn/fake-usps-tracking-number
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