Computer Scams, Again!
"Phishing scammers often create websites and emails."
County Agent News
Dan Folske
October 18, 2010
Computer Scams, Again!
“The US Postal Service has a parcel for you. Click on the link to print out a notice to take to your local post office for pickup”. Don’t click on the link! Your antivirus program may say it found no virus in the incoming message but it can’t see inside the attached zip file or onto the website the link might take you to.
I recently received an email which appeared to be from the US Postal Service. It stated that they were unable to deliver a parcel which I had mailed September 19th due to an improper address. It said I should click on the attachment to print off a label to take to my postmaster to get the package back. I actually had mailed a package in mid September but the 19th was a Sunday and I had used a preprinted return mailing label so the likelihood of a wrong delivery address was very small. I’ve also had mail returned before and it just came in my regular mail stamped with the reason for non-delivery. So it seemed odd that I would get any email about a package which could not have been mailed on a Sunday in the first place. And how would they have gotten my email? It wasn’t on my return address! If I had logged in to the USPS website and paid the postage online and printed a mailing label off the USPS website I might have been more likely to consider that possibility. Especially, if I had sent something via registered mail or at least priority mail with delivery confirmation. But even then, I would have expected to be notified via a card from the postmaster.
My skepticism prevailed and instead of following the instructions in the email I printed it off and took it to the postoffice. Kent (our postmaster) assured me that it was indeed a scam or virus of some sort. There have been some viruses spread via a similar method but it is more likely to have been a phishing scam through which the phishers would have gotten my personal information by having filled out the receipt which they claimed I needed to do so I could claim my package.
It was a good reminder that reputable banks, businesses, and agencies don’t send emails asking for passwords and personal information. Phishing scammers often create websites and emails that look like they come from your bank asking you to confirm account numbers and passwords. Be suspicious! But don’t let your fears prevent you from doing business online and remember that most identity thefts occur from dumpster diving and using your credit cards in unsafe manners. A common use of credit cards which the credit card companies say is unsafe is giving your card to a waiter or waitress who leaves your presence with your card.
