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gab13by13

(25,302 posts)
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 10:02 AM Nov 12

Heads Up To DUers About This Scam

I got a text from the Post Office saying they were holding a package because of an incorrect zip code, could I give them my correct address and zip code. Then they said they had to charge a small fee 0.3 could I provide my credit card information.

Then I knew I was being scammed. I went to the post office just to show them what they were doing. The lady said yeah, the Post office doesn't text people.

The post office insignias makes it look legit.

I felt pretty stupid not to have caught this before I got to the credit card part.

32 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Heads Up To DUers About This Scam (Original Post) gab13by13 Nov 12 OP
Don't feel stupid CousinIT Nov 12 #1
I've heard about that one. Ocelot II Nov 12 #2
gab13by13.......... Upthevibe Nov 12 #3
The United States government communicates exclusively by the USPS. madaboutharry Nov 12 #4
I get those occasionally Easterncedar Nov 12 #5
Great now what do we do if we get a call from the White House. We know after mid January there will be a professional... usaf-vet Nov 12 #22
The first thing I say is multigraincracker Nov 12 #6
Just Saying Pesky1 Nov 12 #18
I get those too. sellitman Nov 12 #7
I've had several USPS fake texts. Delete message and block number doesn't stop more texts. IA8IT Nov 12 #8
True, markodochartaigh Nov 12 #13
I got the same text and ignored it LetMyPeopleVote Nov 12 #9
Not only that... Trueblue Texan Nov 12 #10
Right? Beartracks Nov 12 #15
I got that one a few days ago. I replied "Fuck off criminal" before blocking them. OMGWTF Nov 12 #11
Thanks for letting us know. bernieb Nov 12 #12
I've gotten a lot of those. Pretty sure the USPS would just "return to sender." Beartracks Nov 12 #14
No shame in getting foot wet before catching on to scam. You caught on to it in good time! You are NOT stupid Bernardo de La Paz Nov 12 #16
Get Informed Delivery through USPS. GentryDixon Nov 12 #17
I have that too. Very handy. Unfortunately, I have not gotten some of the mail pictured! SunSeeker Nov 12 #19
Yep. Same happened to me under the pretext of a "US Customs hold on a package." ancianita Nov 12 #20
I got caught too until I saw the .30 charge. happy feet Nov 12 #21
I just got the scam text SupportSanity Nov 12 #23
I've received a request for a $2 fee to get a package through customs. applegrove Nov 12 #24
Thanks for the alert!! n/t ailsagirl Nov 13 #25
Received similar crap years ago. elleng Nov 13 #26
Just yesterday snowybirdie Nov 13 #27
I Get Those ProfessorGAC Nov 13 #30
Amazon has been telling me that items I already paid for... Ysabel Nov 14 #32
Happening here in Europe as well. GoneOffShore Nov 13 #28
I Got One Of Those ProfessorGAC Nov 13 #29
No way the PO is going to text me to ask me my address. Iggo Nov 13 #31

CousinIT

(10,369 posts)
1. Don't feel stupid
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 10:04 AM
Nov 12

The hucksters mean to trick people and have gotten very good at it.

Thanks for the heads up!

Upthevibe

(9,211 posts)
3. gab13by13..........
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 10:06 AM
Nov 12

I got this same text but knew immediately it was a scam because I've gotten them before.

I hardly ever receive packages (I just don't order things unless I have to) so I just disregard. Thanks for the heads up.

madaboutharry

(41,381 posts)
4. The United States government communicates exclusively by the USPS.
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 10:08 AM
Nov 12

The only exception is if you have a pre-arranged telephone appointment with a specific agency like Social Security or Medicare.

usaf-vet

(6,982 posts)
22. Great now what do we do if we get a call from the White House. We know after mid January there will be a professional...
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 01:15 PM
Nov 12

..... scammer in the White House. Grifting hats and watches From the Oval Office.

multigraincracker

(34,208 posts)
6. The first thing I say is
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 10:12 AM
Nov 12

Bob can you give me a phone number that I can call YOU right back on…..click they hang up on me.
I got one from my doctors office. Sounded different even though the caller ID had it. Called them and they did. Not call me.

Pesky1

(20 posts)
18. Just Saying
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 12:52 PM
Nov 12

My wife said that she has seen to say virtually noting when answering one of the many bogus calls that we get. We normally don't answer any number that we don't know, but now scammers can spoof valid numbers like a hospital and trick you to answer.

Why say nothing...scammers can record your comments and splice the pieces. She says to particularly avoid saying "yes".

Don't know if this is too much paranoia...but honesty is plunging in the new America.

IA8IT

(5,913 posts)
8. I've had several USPS fake texts. Delete message and block number doesn't stop more texts.
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 10:32 AM
Nov 12

they try and try again.

markodochartaigh

(2,221 posts)
13. True,
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 12:35 PM
Nov 12

I have gotten a couple of those texts a week, usually in the early morning EST., for months now. Delete gets rid of the message but block doesn't stop the texts.

Trueblue Texan

(2,975 posts)
10. Not only that...
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 12:27 PM
Nov 12

The post office invented the zip codes. You don't tell THEM your zip, they tell YOU!

bernieb

(67 posts)
12. Thanks for letting us know.
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 12:34 PM
Nov 12

I got a call this morning about "My Wells Fargo account. " I don't have a Wells Fargo account. I also get calls about my "New" Medicare card. Be careful. Never give info unless YOU called them.

Bernardo de La Paz

(51,093 posts)
16. No shame in getting foot wet before catching on to scam. You caught on to it in good time! You are NOT stupid
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 12:38 PM
Nov 12

I nearly got caught one time when a scammer had me convinced a friend was emailing from hospital and needed to send money somewhere, could I do it please? I twigged at about the same point in the process as you did.

GentryDixon

(3,017 posts)
17. Get Informed Delivery through USPS.
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 12:42 PM
Nov 12

See Photos of Your Mail Before It Arrives, Free

Get Daily Digest emails that preview your mail and packages scheduled to arrive soon

Track and manage your packages in one convenient place.

SunSeeker

(53,934 posts)
19. I have that too. Very handy. Unfortunately, I have not gotten some of the mail pictured!
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 12:54 PM
Nov 12

But at least I know it's missing and can contact the sender!

ancianita

(38,786 posts)
20. Yep. Same happened to me under the pretext of a "US Customs hold on a package."
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 01:02 PM
Nov 12

The U.S. government services never, ever contact Americans through the Internet about problems. That is what a US government employee told me when I called to check about US Customs communications.

happy feet

(1,110 posts)
21. I got caught too until I saw the .30 charge.
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 01:03 PM
Nov 12

and then I shut the window. However, I then got a fraud detection alert from the credit card/bank. 3 transactions were legit but I think the fourth was the scam trying to use my credit card in my apple wallet.

Bank cancelled my card and I'm awaiting new card in a few days.

I should have known and feel foolish...I have IT background SMH!!!

SupportSanity

(1,163 posts)
23. I just got the scam text
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 01:19 PM
Nov 12

Should I just give them dial-a-prayer’s phone number as my best contact number?

applegrove

(123,460 posts)
24. I've received a request for a $2 fee to get a package through customs.
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 11:56 PM
Nov 12

I can't remember the delivery service but I think it was UPS. Anyhow my credit card got charged for bigger amount after.

Watch out for the small fee scam. It could be for any delivery service not just the post office.

snowybirdie

(5,665 posts)
27. Just yesterday
Wed Nov 13, 2024, 07:50 AM
Nov 13

I was away from home and using my phone when a text popped up from ( supposedly) Amazon telling me my credit card was invalid. They asked me to send them the number to check it out. Ha! Blocked them and sent to spam. They are always trying something new.

ProfessorGAC

(70,318 posts)
30. I Get Those
Wed Nov 13, 2024, 01:24 PM
Nov 13

But, as email. But, it's not the email account I use with Amazon. That made me go "Hmmm".
I called Amazon & they said it was not from them, and to just ignore it.
I've gotten the same message a few more times.
I just delete them.

Ysabel

(2,080 posts)
32. Amazon has been telling me that items I already paid for...
Thu Nov 14, 2024, 01:28 AM
Nov 14

...need to be paid for again. I keep getting BIG RED WARNINGS on my account telling me to repay for my orders. This has been going on for several weeks. I've been telling them I have receipts. They just act dumb and tell me stuff that isn't true. I tell them that I believe they have a glitch. They tried to tell me again that I hadn't paid and I told them again that I had receipts. This went back and forth again several times. Finally I said just forget it. That I was tired of talking with them. Then my packages arrived anyway...

- It's ridiculous!

ProfessorGAC

(70,318 posts)
29. I Got One Of Those
Wed Nov 13, 2024, 01:22 PM
Nov 13

I did nothing but go to the post office to show them.
Then, I deleted it & blocked the number.
I was super suspicious of it the moment I got it.

Iggo

(48,390 posts)
31. No way the PO is going to text me to ask me my address.
Wed Nov 13, 2024, 11:39 PM
Nov 13

They got a guy comes to my house every day.

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