Report Mail Fraud and Scams to USPS: Protect Yourself

Last updated 3 months ago. Our resources are updated regularly but please keep in mind that links, programs, policies, and contact information do change.

You check your mailbox and find a notice claiming you’ve won a prize—but you need to pay a fee to claim it. Or a text message warns of a problem with your package delivery that requires immediate action. These are common tactics used by mail fraud perpetrators.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has a dedicated law enforcement arm, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), committed to safeguarding the mail system and its users. Dating back to 1775, the USPIS is the oldest federal law enforcement agency in the nation.

This agency oversees the security of over 600,000 Postal Service employees and billions of mail pieces processed annually.

Common Types of Mail Fraud and Scams

Phishing

Phishing involves deceptive emails designed to trick individuals into revealing personal information by impersonating legitimate organizations. Common examples include:

• Fake emails claiming problems with package delivery
• Messages with subject lines like “Delivery Failure Notification”
• Requests to confirm delivery information that lead to virus installation or credential theft

Scammers often leverage trusted company names, including USPS, to enhance their credibility.

Smishing

Smishing uses text messages to carry out fraud, typically involving fake USPS delivery notifications. These usually claim a package couldn’t be delivered due to an unverifiable address and encourage clicking a link to input personal information.

These texts often impersonate automated USPS alerts with phrases like “Please confirm your address” that lead to malicious websites. They typically create a sense of urgency to pressure quick action without careful consideration.

Vishing

Vishing (voice phishing) employs phone calls or voicemails to solicit personal information, sometimes by impersonating authority figures. Examples include:

• Calls from someone claiming to be a Postal Inspector needing to verify personal details
• Threats of arrest if information isn’t provided
• Unfamiliar numbers claiming urgent verification needs

Scammers increasingly use AI-generated voices to make calls sound more convincing.

Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when criminals use mail to acquire personal information for fraudulent purposes like opening accounts or obtaining loans. Methods include:

• Stealing mail containing bank statements, credit card offers, or tax documents
• Filing change-of-address forms to divert victims’ mail
• “Dumpster diving” for discarded personal information

Mail theft serves as a significant precursor to identity theft.

Financial Fraud

Financial fraud encompasses schemes designed to steal money through mail, including:

• Sweepstakes or lottery scams where winners must pay upfront fees to claim prizes
• Employment fraud with deceptive job offers requiring personal information or a “buy-in”
• Messages claiming recipients were “specially selected” or need to “confirm personal information”

These tactics create a false sense of exclusivity and urgency.

Holiday Scams

Holiday scams surge during holiday seasons, taking forms like:

• Fake shipping notifications from USPS or other carriers
• Prompts to “schedule delivery” that lead to phishing websites or malware installation
• Fake charity solicitations exploiting the season’s charitable spirit

The increased volume of online shopping and charitable giving during holidays creates ample opportunities for fraudsters.

Scams Targeting Veterans

Veterans are often targeted by scams involving:

• Offers to refinance VA loans at unusually low rates
• Fake charitable giving requests
• Claims about “secret” government benefits requiring fees or personal information
• Deceptive claims related to benefits, employment, and special discounts

These scams exploit veterans’ trust in fellow military members and potential vulnerabilities.

Scams Targeting Older Americans

Older Americans frequently face:

• Sweepstakes scams requiring upfront taxes or fees
• Grandparent scams where criminals pose as distressed grandchildren needing money
• Exploitation due to trust, politeness, financial savings, home ownership, and good credit

Social isolation and unfamiliarity with online scams can increase vulnerability.

Mail and Package Theft

Physical theft of mail and packages targets:

• Valuable items and sensitive information for identity theft and financial fraud
• Checks, credit cards, or personal documents from mailboxes
• Packages left on porches, especially small, easily grabbed items

Criminals may also file change-of-address forms to reroute mail, allowing them to intercept sensitive documents. Recent USPS audits highlight that mail theft remains a significant problem costing customers thousands of dollars.

How to Report Mail Fraud and Scams to USPIS

If you suspect you’ve been targeted by mail fraud or a scam, reporting is critical. Here’s how to contact the USPIS:

Online Reporting

Visit the official USPIS website at www.uspis.gov and use the “Report” section to submit detailed information about mail-related crimes, including:

• Mail Fraud
• Mail Theft
• Identity Theft
• Cybercrime

Phone Reporting

Call the Criminal Investigations Service Center toll-free at 1-877-876-2455.

Mail Reporting

Send a written account to:

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS SERVICE CENTER
ATTN: MAIL FRAUD
433 HARRISON STREET RM 3255
CHICAGO IL 60699-3255

What to Include in Your Report

Provide as much detail as possible:

• Specific type of fraud or scam encountered
• Dates and times of the incident
• Names and addresses of individuals or entities involved
• Descriptions of mail pieces, emails, or phone calls related to the fraud
• Financial losses incurred
• Any other relevant information that could assist investigators

Reporting Scam Emails and Texts

Forward suspicious emails and texts to [email protected] and then delete them.

Reporting Mail Theft

Use the “Report” section on the USPIS website or call the provided phone number.

Reporting Delivery Issues

Report delivery delays or service issues directly to USPS through emailus.usps.com.

Reporting Suspicious Mail

Don’t open or handle suspicious mail. Report it immediately through the USPIS website or phone number. Watch for characteristics like:

• Excessive postage
• Strange return addresses
• Misspellings
• Powdery substances

Why Your Complaint Matters

Reporting mail fraud and scams protects more than just you—it helps safeguard the broader community:

• Postal Inspectors use report information to understand and investigate fraud schemes
• USPIS bases investigations on the number, substance, and patterns in public complaints
• Each report helps identify emerging trends, connect isolated incidents, and allocate resources effectively
• Your information alerts Inspectors to new fraud schemes and helps prevent others from becoming victims
• Reports contribute to potential criminal, civil, or administrative actions against perpetrators

USPIS is a federal law enforcement agency whose officers can carry firearms, make arrests, execute search warrants, and serve subpoenas. In some cases, reporting can lead to fund recovery, with Postal Inspectors contacting individuals or businesses on victims’ behalf.

The USPIS also offers victim support services, including investigation updates and referrals to service providers.

Tips to Protect Yourself

Be Cautious with Communications

• Scrutinize unsolicited communications through mail, email, or text
• Avoid responding to spam or unsolicited emails requesting personal information
• Be wary of urgent requests or high-pressure tactics demanding immediate action
• Never feel obligated to “act now” on unexpected offers or requests

Secure Your Mail

• Pick up mail daily and avoid leaving it in your mailbox overnight
• Consider investing in a mailbox with a secure locking mechanism
• Use the USPS Hold Mail service when away from home
• Sign up for Informed Delivery at USPS.com to receive daily email updates with images of incoming mail

Practice Online Safety

• Don’t click suspicious links or open attachments in emails, websites, or social media
• Carefully examine email addresses, URLs, and spelling in correspondence
• Be wary of slight variations used to deceive you

Guard Personal Information

• Never share sensitive financial information with unknown persons
• Avoid carrying your Social Security card in your wallet
• Be mindful of information shared online or on social media
• Shred unwanted documents containing personal information

Recognize Common Scam Tactics

• Remember that legitimate lotteries never require money to claim prizes
• Be suspicious of requests to send money through gift cards or wire transfers
• Exercise caution with too-good-to-be-true offers
• Verify charity legitimacy before donating through the Better Business Bureau
• Monitor financial accounts for unauthorized transactions
• Sign new credit cards immediately

Additional Protective Measures

• Review credit reports from all three major bureaus annually
• Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi networks
• Stay connected with friends and family to avoid social isolation
• Discuss suspicious offers with trusted contacts before acting
• Veterans should consult local veteran’s affairs offices before acting on unsolicited offers

Recent Trends and Examples

Stay informed about current mail fraud trends:

• Imposter scams are increasing, with criminals impersonating trusted entities including USPS
• Many victims report financial losses averaging around $800 per person in 2024
• Scammers increasingly request payments through gift cards and cryptocurrency for anonymity
• Mail theft remains widespread, with significant financial losses for customers
• Recent USPS audits show security vulnerabilities increasing mail theft risk
• Between March 2023 and August 2024, over 7,000 mail theft inquiries were reported in Houston alone

Recent Prosecutions

Reporting mail fraud leads to action:

• In March 2025, a postal worker in Washington, D.C. was convicted of stealing over $1.6 million in checks from mail
• Two individuals in Mobile were sentenced for a large-scale counterfeit check fraud scheme
• USPIS investigated a case where a 57-year-old woman lost nearly $1.5 million in a romance scam
• Holiday seasons consistently see increased package delivery scams

How USPS and USPIS Investigate

When fraud is reported, USPIS initiates a comprehensive process:

• Postal Inspectors, as federal law enforcement officers, enforce approximately 200 federal laws
• Investigations begin with public reports of mail-related crimes
• Inspectors gather evidence to determine if mail fraud violations occurred
• They collaborate with other federal, state, local, and international law enforcement agencies
• Findings are presented to prosecutors for potential legal action
• The USPIS crime laboratory examines questioned documents, fingerprints, narcotics, and physical/digital evidence
• USPIS emphasizes prevention through consumer education
• Postal Inspectors investigate mail theft, arresting thousands of perpetrators annually

Staying Safe Online

Many mail fraud schemes extend to the digital realm:

• Be wary of emails and texts mimicking legitimate companies like USPS
• Avoid clicking links in fake shipping notifications
• Remember USPS never asks for personal details or money through unsolicited messages
• Forward suspicious emails or texts to [email protected]
• When uncertain about USPS communications, go directly to www.usps.com or www.uspis.gov
• Be cautious of messages creating urgency, a common pressure tactic

Take Action Against Mail Fraud

Mail fraud and scams constantly evolve, posing persistent threats. By understanding common tactics, knowing how to report suspicious activity, and implementing protection measures, you can reduce your risk.

If you suspect mail fraud or a scam, take action: visit www.uspis.gov or call 1-877-876-2455. Your report makes a difference in protecting yourself and others.

Common Mail Fraud Types at a Glance

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