Knowing whether USPS tracking numbers are fake can be critical in preventing financial loss. A fake tracking number is a new form of fraud targeting online buyers across America. Fraudsters are using fake USPS tracking numbers to trick shoppers into thinking their products are on the way. Let us know about “Can A USPS Tracking Number Be Fake?”
A USPS tracking number can be a fake number developed by scammers to trick buyers into waiting for their packages. The waiting period will allow the fraudsters to cover their tracks by deleting their website or laundering the stolen money.
How Does USPS Fake Tracking Number Work?
Buyers are attracted to a product through a website with pictures that look legitimate and decide to purchase. After the checkout, the customer receives a confirmation email with a tracking number from USPS. Depending on the scam, the tracking number can be completely fake. In other cases, the tracking number is real, but the product is delivered to another address, and the missing package is blamed on the shipping service.
What Is A USPS Tracking Number?
A valid tracking number is issued to packages to enable consumers to track the progress of their package until it arrives at their homes, office, or collection centre. USPS tracking numbers are used to identify the shipment’s physical locations and determine delivery dates. Fraudsters give a tracking number that is either fake or legitimate but not assigned to your package. The item does not exist, or the USPS tracking number was assigned to another package.
Fake tracking numbers will be rejected if the customer checks the number at the USPS portal. If the tracking number is valid but assigned to another product, the consumer will realise that their products were shipped to another address. The scammers will get the money and place the blame on USPS’s mistakes hence leading to loss to the customer.
How Do You Determine Whether A USPS Tracking Number Is Fake?
To determine if a number is fake, submit it to the USPS website for tracking. If it is genuine, the information about your package will be displayed. If it is fake, the tracking bar will reject the number, or the number will show a different package without your information. If the USPS tracking number is fake, contact your seller to cancel your purchase or contact your bank to cancel your transaction.
It is advisable to check the USPS tracking number received at checkout before completing the order to determine if it’s a valid tracking number. Use the USPS tracking website to check whether the tracking number matches the format for USPS tracking numbers. The website provides a different format for all USPS tracking numbers, enabling you to determine whether the provided tracking number matches the format.
Fake USPS tracking numbers are increasing, with criminals using fake or stolen numbers to steal customers’ money. When a USPS tracking number is stolen, it will be recognized as valid on the USPS tracking website, but the item will be delivered to another address. The waiting period gives fraudsters time to cover their tracks by shutting down websites or laundering the stolen money to an untraceable destination.
How Can You Protect Yourself From USPS Fake Tracking Numbers?
- Confirm whether the site has real contact information and registered address. Make sure the seller has contact information that is working so you are able to contact them in case of problems. Fraudsters have no registered address or working contact information.
- Compare the price with other retailers. If the price is too low, you should think twice. Scammers give low prices to trick people into buying. Low prices are the bites scammers use to attract customers to scam sites.
- Check the site security settings before giving payment. A secure site should start with “https’ and include a locked item on the purchase.
- Review Better Business Bureau (BBB) secure online shopping sites. Many online USPS fake tracking number scams utilise the same similar tactics. www.bbb.org/shoppingonline provides tips on how to avoid scams. The tips are based on past and current scams that have been reported by consumers across America.
Conclusion
Faking USPS tracking numbers is another way scammers can steal customers’ money. Scammers blame USPS for the “lost package” and get away with shoppers’ money. Protect yourself from such scams by buying from reputable websites and confirming whether the provided USPS tracking number is legitimate. If you have already paid, contact the seller for cancellation or your credit card to cancel the transaction. Fraudsters provide fake numbers to PayPal to mark the order as fulfilled and win disputes filed by the customers. If you used PayPal to pay for your order, provide documentation on the fake tracking numbers, including product, shipping destination, and dates, to help PayPal refund your money and stop a scammer.
