International purchases getting text scam messages?

[krys888]

For the last three items I purchased outside the US I get a text message when the item leaves the sender country’s customs as it enters the US customs saying the text is from the US Postal Service asking me to confirm my address with a y or n. The text addresses are email addresses and none have the US Postal service or US customs ending; they’re just random generic email addresses. Of course I ignore them, but it has happened on all three of these past purchases. I asked the post office about it locally and they said they don’t do that and that it’s a scam. This is only happening on international purchases through ebay. I’m not getting those texts when ordering international on other platforms. Again, I ignore them, but that it keeps happening makes me wonder how many other people are getting them and getting scammed.

[mudshark61369]

@krys888,

My guess is the text messages are being sent from China based sellers, who may be doing that to send you messages about products they will sell you off ebay, or possibly to use your address in a fake tracking zip code scam to use against other buyers. There could be more nefarious reasons for them sending them like sending viruses.  What ever the reason for the messages you received, you are smart to have ignored them.

Look up SMS malware threats.

[krys888]

The first one was from China, so I thought that too, except this latest one is from Canada!

[klhmdg]

I get them too and have never purchased from a foreign seller on eBay.

It is a scam and they are fishing for people to send them information.

Since I dont buy items internationally it is not necessarily an eBay issue.

[kensgiftshop]

I get those text messages all the time, even when I haven't ordered anything in awhile.

Those scammers send out thousands of those messages hoping they get a bite somewhere.