The Postal Inspection Service will kick off its “Don’t Get Snowed by Holiday Scams” campaign on Thursday, Nov. 7.
The agency is encouraging employees and customers to:
• Avoid fake postage websites. Letters and packages with counterfeit postage will be returned to their senders. Legal postage can only be purchased at Post Offices or from approved vendors.
• Ignore “delivery failure notification” emails or texts. These are smishing and phishing scams. Delete the message and do not click on any links they contain.
• Secure delivery of packages and mail. Either have trusted friends or neighbors pick up your delivered items or use one of the Postal Service’s delivery options, such as having your mail held at a Post Office if you are going to be out of town.
The agency is also reminding postal employees to get to a place of safety and call 911 if they see someone acting suspiciously or if they are approached by someone with nefarious intentions. Employees should also contact the Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 to report any incidents.
“Our message to Postal Service employees is this: Your safety is your most important delivery, during the holidays and all year long,” said Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale.
More information and tips are available on the Inspection Service’s website.