Oak Park Community Council

Beware Postal Email Virus Hoax

With Christmas just around the corner, scammers are using electronic mail to target those who send gifts through conventional mail.

“Some postal customers are receiving bogus emails about a package delivery,” states a press release on the U.S. Postal Inspection Service website. “The emails contain a link that, when opened, installs a malicious virus that can steal personal information from your PC.”

An email from “info@usps.gov” informs people that, due to an erroneous address, the postal service has failed to deliver a package that the email recipient sent a few days prior. The email then asks the recipient to open an attachment that contains a shipping label needed to collect the package at the post office. And that’s all. The email does not state which post office is holding the package and does not mention any names.

“Like most viruses sent by email, clicking on the link will activate a virus that can steal information — such as your user name, password and financial account information,” states the U.S. Postal Inspection Service website.

Those who receive the email are instructed to “simply delete the message without taking any further action,” and call 800-ASK-USPS for more information or to report a scam.