The Better Business Bureau is warning of a new scam involving fake emails supposedly from the U.S. Postal Service.

Officials say scammers are disguising themselves in the hopes of accessing your personal information. The emails claim to be from the USPS and contain information about an attempted or intercepted package delivery or online postage charges. The BBB warns customers watch out for these emails and says if you receive one, simply delete the message. No further action is needed unless you choose to report the email as spam by contacting abuse@usps.gov

If opened, the email instructs you to click on a link, open an attachment or print a label. Officials say clicking on the link can activate a virus, which can steal personal information such as usernames, passwords and financial account information.

Carlos_bcn, ThinkStock
Carlos_bcn, ThinkStock
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Dennis Horton, director of the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau says:

“These e-mails are very easy to mistake for authorized messages from the USPS. Clicking on the link can result in identity theft which could cause serious problems for years to come.”

USPS Corporate Information Security Officer Chuck McGann offers these tips on spotting bogus emails:

  • The e-mail text contains poor grammar or spelling errors.
  • The e-mail states immediate action must be taken or customer could face dire consequences.
  • The e-mail requests personal information under the guise of re-confirming information.
  • The e-mail from an “automated message system” states “Click on this link for details.”

The official warning posted by the U.S. Postal Service is posted here. For more information on scams, you can visit The Better Business Bureau's website.

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