Did the Post Office text you for your address so they can deliver that package you’re waiting for?
No, they did not. The U.S. Postal Service knows your address — they’re kind of famous for it — and it will not text you about it. Scammers will, though.
That was part of what was covered at a press briefing June 12 by the U.S. Postal Service and the Postal Inspection Service to warn Americans about “rising threats of phishing, smishing and brushing scams” in Florida and nationwide.
“Combating mail theft and violent crimes against our employees is of the highest priority for the Postal Service and Postal Inspection Service,” said Acting Postmaster General and CEO Doug Tulino in a release. “Through our continued, dedicated efforts, we are committed to making the America’s mail system safer — from ensuring the protection of our letter carriers to making sure packages and mail make it to their destination safely and efficiently.”
The agencies also promoted Project Safe Delivery, a joint initiative launched in 2023 by USPS and USPIS to combat mail-related crime, enhance letter carrier safety, and protect the public’s mail and packages.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is phishing? What is smishing? What is brushing?
Scammers have several ways to get your money or personal identification, and some of the most insidious methods trick you into just handing them over.
Phishing is using fake-but-extremely-convincing emails to fool you into clicking on dangerous links and/or revealing sensitive information.
Smishing is the same thing but through texts and messages. That delivery message asking for your address is one, and so are all those messages threatening dire consequences if you don’t pay your overdue toll bills. (Toll companies also never send texts like that.)
Brushing is a little more obscure but rising in popularity. That involves scammers sending you unsolicited merchandise and then posting a fake customer review under your name to boost sales.
Florida residents lost $1 billion in 2024 internet scams
Floridians were scammed out of more than $1 billion in 2024, according to the latest annual Internet Crime Report from the FBI, up from $874.74 million the year before.
And that’s almost certainly an undercount of the total loss from cyber-enabled fraud and scams, according to Cynthia Kaiser, deputy assistant director of the FBI’s Cyber Division. The data only includes information from victims who reported it to the FBI and many people may not want to admit to being fooled.
Last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill to allow financial institutions to delay suspicious-looking transactions from a senior citizen if someone at the institution had a reasonable belief the person was being scammed. The law went into effect on Jan. 1.
Post office tips to avoid scammers
What is Project Safe Delivery?
Project Safe Delivery is an initiative started in May 2023 to increase safety for customers and mail delivery people and fight mail crime. It includes education and awareness programs, coordinating with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, and even physcial safety measures such as high security mail collection boxes and security reviews of facilities.
The project has resulted in a 27% reduction in letter carrier robberies, and more than 2,800 arrests related to mail theft and related crimes, the USPS said.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: No, the Post Office won’t text for your address for a delivery. USPS warns about rising scams
Reporting by C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
