SPOKANE, Wash. -- Scammers are stealing personal information from USPS users by pretending to be USPS delivery.

According to the United States Postal Inspection (USIPS), people have been reporting receiving text messages with an unfamiliar or strange web link that says they require a response. These scam messages are called smishing, and the links help scammers get their victims' personal information, including Social Security numbers, birth dates, PINs or other sensitive information.

According to USIPS, scammers disguise themselves as government agencies, banks or other companies to look professional. USIPS says they utilize 5-digit short codes to send and receive SMS to and from mobile phones.

The Postal Service will only send you a message about tracking services if you register online or initiate a text message and provide a tracking number. USPS does not charge for these services.

According to USIPS, they do not send customers text messages or emails without a customer first requesting the service with a tracking number. When requested, the message does not contain a link. USIPS warns users that if there is a link, do not click on it.

If you believe you got a smishing scam sent to you, copy the message and send it to [email protected] or forward the text message to 7726.

FOX28 Spokane©