• by Ray Schultz , Columnist, December 18, 2024

As phishing victims know, email is a medium that can do harm as well as good. But there is also a threat from a sister channel that may be heating up as the holidays approach.  

Consumers are being urged to watch out for “smishing” messages — scams delivered  via text. The intent appears to be to garner information for use in financial fraud. 

Typically, the victim is advised that a delivery is on the way but that more information is needed — say, a password, credit card or Social Security number — and that the person should click through to a link.  

Don’t click the link! That is the simple warning from the USPS and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. 

The USPS does not send texts or email messages regarding deliveries, nor does it attempt to gain passwords or personally identifiable information. 

But there are other types of smishing messages: they can also appear to be from banks, companies and other government agencies.

Any personal information collected will be used for financial fraud. 

It’s not clear where smishing artists are getting the mobile number, but rest assured it is insidious. 

All this may be confusing to some shoppers. “The Postal Service offers free tools to track specific packages, but customers are required to either register online, or initiate a text message, and provide a tracking number,” it advises.