Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Postal Inspectors Warn of Imposter Scams During National Consumer Protection Week

Officials urge consumers to verify identities before sharing personal information or sending money

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service issued a warning about imposter scams as part of National Consumer Protection Week, which runs from March 2 to 8. These fraudulent schemes involve scammers posing as friends, relatives, or legitimate organizations to steal personal information and money from unsuspecting victims.

“There are many types of imposter scams,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the USPIS Criminal Investigations Group. “But they all start with messages like, ‘I’m in trouble…,’ ‘I need…,’ ‘You’ve won!..,’ or ‘I have a great offer for you!'”

Shen said these deceptive tactics create a false sense of trust that allows scammers to access privileged information and ultimately drain financial accounts.

The warning comes as part of a broader consumer protection initiative by the USPIS.

Postal authorities recommend several precautionary measures to help consumers protect themselves from these increasingly sophisticated scams. They advise taking time with financial decisions, especially when dealing with investments or unsolicited offers like lotteries or sweepstakes.

Officials also caution against responding to suspicious communications purportedly from financial institutions. Rather than clicking on links in emails or texts, consumers should call their bank using the official number provided when they opened their account.

The Postal Service emphasized that it never sends unsolicited text messages to customers. Any text or email claiming delivery problems is designed to steal personal identifiable information and should be forwarded to spam@uspis.gov and then deleted.

Grandparents are specifically warned to verify requests for financial help that appear to come from their grandchildren. The agency recommends calling the family member directly at a recognized number before sending any money in response to urgent appeals.

The advisory also addresses romance scams, warning consumers to be wary of online relationships where someone professes immediate love while requesting financial assistance. Such scenarios often indicate fraudulent activity, the USPIS said.

Additional protective measures include registering phone numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry at (888) 382-1222 or at www.donotcall.gov and promptly reporting suspected scams to the Inspection Service. Victims can file online reports or call (877) 876-2455.

“With a few simple tips, consumers can protect themselves from imposter scams,” Shen said in the USPIS statement. Remembering these simple tips will help keep consumers’ personal information and finances safe.

For more detailed information about identifying imposters, visit www.uspis.gov/ncpw-2025.