Protecting the American Public from Imposter Scams

Public awareness is a critical aspect of every law enforcement operation, and here at the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, we are committed to providing the American public with the information and tools necessary to protect themselves and secure the country’s mail. The annual National Consumer Protection Week is a pivotal part of this outreach, and this year, we are focusing on imposter scams.

Imposter scams cover a multitude of crimes, but at their core, a victim is drawn into this fraud by someone who is pretending to be someone else. This gives criminals a broad canvas to work with, and we often hear of them posing as charity workers, representatives of a government agency, romantic interests or even celebrities. Now that we are in tax filing season, expect to see an uptick in criminals posing as IRS agents.

Here at the Postal Inspection Service, we have also witnessed an alarming increase in USPS-related scams, mostly fake texts and emails about a failed attempt to deliver a package. I’d say it’s gotten so bad that almost everyone reading this will have received one of these smishing attempts at least once, and with e-commerce now a part of everyday life, we expect this scam to continue and grow.

As I recently told the hosts of the USPS Mailin’ It! podcast, these frauds are costing the American public dearly, and we are doing our very best to end this victimization. That’s why, for National Consumer Protection Week 2025, we have created a dedicated USPIS portal that explains what consumers should look out for and how they should protect themselves.

It can be overwhelming to deal with what seems like a constant barrage of scams, but a few simple rules will help relieve you of a lot of stress. First of all, imposter scams are usually unsolicited, so be skeptical of any letter, call, text or email you didn’t ask for. Not all unsolicited communications are scams, but even legitimate ones aren’t typically made to benefit you, so hold off on answering and never click the link. Even if you receive some outreach from a recognized organization like your favorite charity or your bank, be cautious, check the grammar and spelling, and look for obvious red flags, like private email addresses.

Even if you are curious, do not call the phone numbers or click on links in the communication you receive. It might take a few minutes of research, but it’s worth the effort to find the homepage or main telephone number yourself and contact the organization through those channels. If you’re concerned that you might be a victim of identity theft, I’d recommend regularly running your credit reports to monitor for suspicious activity.

Imposter scams are now a part of our lives, but by staying vigilant, skeptical and informed, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim. You can also visit www.uspis.gov/ for helpful tips on all types of scams.

Remember, the Postal Service will never ask you for personal details or money through unsolicited messages. And if you receive or are a victim of a fake USPS communication, please reach out to us at www.uspis.gov/report or call 1-877-876-2455.

By working together, we can stop scammers in their tracks.