The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection is warning residents about an increase in package delivery scams involving fake text messages that appear to be from the United States Postal Service.

The scam known as "smishing" involves deceptive text messages used by scammers to steal personal or financial information.

Victims receive text messages that appear to be from USPS or another mail carrier, claiming there's an issue with a package and including a link to "resolve" it. These links lead to fraudulent websites designed to steal sensitive information, as scammers impersonate trusted organizations to exploit consumer trust and create a false sense of urgency.

"Scammers are preying on consumers because of the rise in package deliveries, especially during the holidays," said OCP Director Eric Friedman. "Always verify any claims directly with the delivery service to avoid falling victim to these schemes."

OCP suggests the following steps to avoid "smishing" scams:

For additional information about the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/ocp.