When Teresa Owen saw the text message flash across her cellphone screen Monday morning, she responded without hesitation.
It appeared to be a package delivery update from the United States Postal Service.
She had been waiting for some shipments carrying important medical equipment. She didn’t want any delays.
Owen, of Wichita, clicked a link in the message that took her to a website she says bore post office information and logos. It told her a package was 30 cents short of postage and asked her to pay to avoid a delivery problem. The tracking number looked legitimate.
She promptly entered her debit card number and thought, “this is the post office. I want to get this done fast.”
Relief washed over her until her bank emailed. She’d been scammed.