(NEXSTAR) – The organization that tricks people into handing over their money and personal information is not the fake IRS or the fake Social Security Administration. The company isn't even a private company, but his most recent Amazon scam involved tricking a financial advice columnist into handing over her $50,000 for a shoe box.
According to a report released by the Better Business Bureau, scammers are more successful at impersonating the U.S. Postal Service than any other organization.
How do these scams work? BBB Director of Communications Melanie McGovern explains that most are phishing schemes sent via text or email.
For example, “A USPS package arrived at our warehouse and cannot be delivered because the address information is incomplete. Please verify the address in the link within 12 hours.”
But when you click on a link and fill out a form to “claim” your package, you're being tricked into handing over your personal information.
Legitimate shipping services like USPS, FedEx, and UPS typically leave a “missed delivery” note on your door rather than contacting you via text. To avoid this scam, track your orders online and use the seller's website to track delivery. Do not click on links sent unsolicited.
You can also sign up for USPS Informed Delivery, a free service that sends you photos before your mail arrives.
Scammers impersonate brands and organizations that people trust in order to catch victims off guard.
According to the BBB, the top 10 impersonation organizations in 2023 are:
- United States Postal Service
- Amazon
- Publishers Clearing House
- Otaku squad
- norton
- PayPal
- microsoft
- walmart
- McAfee
Surprisingly, seniors were not the most vulnerable age group last year, according to the BBB Risk Report. Young people between the ages of 18 and 24 reported the highest median loss from fraud at $155.
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