Hi, everyone. I have recently encountered an interesting mail scam. I have USPS informed delivery. A few days ago, I saw that some package was delivered to my mailbox, which in actual fact did not occur. I am not expecting any packages either. I called the USPS and they said it was a potential scam. Based on the tracking number, it appears that the label was created for some delivery to my address back in August. However, it just sat there until recently. Someone then applied the label to a large package in late November, and it just showed as delivered to my mailbox a couple of days ago.
I obviously did not get it. I contacted the USPS today and they said that the label was meant for me, but was “routed to someone else’s mailbox”. However, they could not see where it was delivered (quite unbelievable that they did not know WHO it was delivered to). They then instructed me to file the USPS OIG online complaint, which I did. I suspect that it won’t get anywhere, and it is quite concerning.
In case if any USPS existing or former employees are reading it, here are my questions:
- Doesn’t it seem like an “inside job” by one of the USPS workers? How would they not know where it was delivered?
- What would be the end goal of fraudsters? I assume, there is a possibility of smuggling illegal substances or contraband…. The USPS worker told me she could see it was a “well-wrapped larger package/parcel”.
- I assume local law enforcement won’t get involved, as this is the federal matter, will they?
Quite a peculiar scam! @CatMan - I believe you mentioned having great knowledge of the USPS system, right?
@JusticeinTexas @Jhawk @OfclyGoodenough @SouthernCulture_x @FantasticsSnow @MajorLeeAwesome @ATG @T-Rex - you guys are awesome too, and are welcome to comment, as always!
3 إعجابات
I had the same thing happen recently and this may be your issue. I ordered something off eBay and the seller/eBay gave me a USPS Tracking number that the seller never used for me. The item I ordered came to me as the cheapest method instead. 2-3 months later the seller used that postage and tracking number for someone else in my area, however the tracking in Informed Delivery showed it was coming to me including scans. I am friends with my Letter Carrier and he looked into it as it showed out for delivery but he didn’t scan anything as such. Second option: Someone used your address to receive something illegal, prohibited or stolen (often ordered with stolen CC cards). The person will have someone or themselves watching the tracking hoping to intercept the parcel on delivery day. This has happened with phones, checks, credit cards and drugs, within USPS delivery areas. I suggest using two factor sign in with Informed Delivery - a recent option. If you see any parcel coming to or delivered to your home that you didn’t order take pictures and call the Police 1st and local post office 2nd. Watch for names that are not yours or misspelling of names, address or for example you are Edith Johnson and first class mail suddenly shows for Lilly Johnson, contact the post office immediately.
3 إعجابات
That is my expert opinion and possibly more information than most people would get as a solution from the USPS.
إعجابَين (2)
This is some great information. Thank you!
The most concerning thing to me is that the USPS lady who I spoke with this morning claimed that she was unable to see who it was delivered to. However, she did check with the mail carrier who confirmed that nothing was delivered to me. She did see that the sender’s address was a non-existent one in some “open field” in another state.
I did file the OIG complaint and got an automated notice from them 10 minutes ago. Apparently, my complaint was forwarded to their field investigation office.
3 إعجابات
This is awesome, thank you again. These effing scammers are becoming really good, and do a lot more than just calls and texts these days. I knew a guy who got some pills to his address but the name was not even his and was something generic like “Doug Jones”. I told him to report these “pills” to the USPS OIG but he just threw them away. The scammers probably send contraband drugs regularly like that.
3 إعجابات