Online scammers are always looking for new ways to defraud unsuspecting victims. Now, they’ve got a new one: the fake USPS delivery-on-hold scam. The scam involves fraudsters emailing what appears to be an official notice from the USPS informing you that they have a package on hold that can’t be delivered due to insufficient address. You are then asked to provide your credit card information to “re-deliver” your package, and then to “verify your identity” by entering your Social Security number and date of birth.
Be advised that the USPS does not send out any such notices. So, if you should receive an email like this, delete it immediately.
Read more about the delivery on hold scam.
Smart ways to protect yourself from fraud
As a reminder, here are some other ways you can protect yourself from fraud:
- Never open suspicious emails or click on links from senders you do not know.
- If you are unsure about an email you receive, do some research on the sender before opening.
- Run anti-virus software and download software updates.
- Choose strong passwords and update them regularly.
- Set alerts to notify you about debit or credit card transactions.
- Check your credit report regularly.
Also, as a reminder, First County Bank will never send you an email asking for your account number, Social Security number, or passwords.
