Monday, June 15, 2026
Here’s how to dodge imposter scams
The Postal Inspection Service shares ways older adults can avoid fraud
The Postal Inspection Service is marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15 by offering tips to employees and customers to help them and the older people in their lives avoid becoming victims of imposter scams.
Advances in technology such as artificial intelligence, or AI, are making imposter scams more realistic and harder to detect.
Imposters pretending to be a person, company or government agency can create highly convincing and personalized content. According to the Federal Trade Commission, imposter scams cost consumers $15.9 billion in 2025.
Here are four common imposter scams and ways to guard against them:
Grandparent scams. Criminals use fake photos and AI voice cloning to pose as grandchildren or other relatives, claiming to urgently need money to pay hospital bills or make bail. These scammers often name a fraudulent lawyer, doctor or police officer who can be contacted.
• Think before acting. Contact the supposed family member’s parent or guardian to verify the story.
• Urgent requests for money are always red flags.
Romance scams. Fraudsters use social media and dating websites to build a rapport with an unsuspecting person and then ask for money to help with a personal emergency.
• Keep conversations on the dating site’s official platform.
• Refrain from revealing personal details. Research the person’s name and address.
• Be leery of anyone who quickly shows a romantic interest, pushes the conversation toward private email, or asks for money.
Fake tech support. After initiating bogus popup warnings on your computer screen or sending emails purporting to be from well-known tech companies, scammers pretend to be IT technicians who need remote access to your computer to scan for viruses.
• Hang up on tech support calls and delete emails that you didn’t initiate.
• Never provide strangers your Social Security number, birthdate, bank account number or home address.
• Be suspicious of anyone requiring payment by gift cards, wire transfer, bank transfer, cryptocurrency or payment app.
Cryptocurrency scams. Scammers create cryptocurrency investment websites that look real but prevent victims from withdrawing the money they’ve sent.
• Research potential investments thoroughly and never invest money based on only one source of information.
• Be leery of promises of huge profits. Beware of high-pressure phone calls or emails.
“Imposters in all these types of scams are very clever, and they are taking full advantage of AI and other digital innovations,” said Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale. “These scams can fool anyone — especially an older population that might not be familiar with technology-based scams that are prevalent today.”
The Inspection Service’s imposter scam webpage has more information.
To report report a scam, call the Inspection Service’s tip line at 877-876-2455 or use the online form.
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered June 7-13
American Icons stamps and an employee’s food nonprofit made news
Last week, Link spotlighted the new American Icons stamps, whose images were curated by designer Ralph Lauren.
“This collection captures the enduring values and visual touchstones that define the American experience,” Chief Retail and Delivery Officer Elvin Mercado said at the stamps’ dedication ceremony in New York City.
We shared news of an impasse in contract negotiations between the Postal Service and the National Postal Mail Handlers Union; looked at the final installment of the Stamps Forever website’s series, this one on the Stamp Encore contest’s winner; and offered reminders on the environmental training required for certain employees.
We also stressed the importance of remaining vigilant against ransomware and of following the federal ethics rules that apply even after leaving USPS employment.
“Off the Clock” spotlighted Kenneth Anderson, a USPS employment law attorney whose family farm is the basis for Everbloom Farmacy, a nonprofit that that seeks to grow food, well-being and community; and “People” highlighted a big honor received by Jack Brennan, an Annapolis, MD, retail associate who was awarded an honorary degree from the U.S. Naval Academy.
Finally, “Heroes” told the story of Oneonta, NY, Letter Carrier Beverly Marschilok, who was delivering with a trainee when she noticed mail building up at a home. She knocked on the door and got a cry for help in response.
Marschilok and the trainee found a spare key and entered the home,
The woman had been lying on the floor for three days. After calling 911, Marschilok and the trainee waited until help arrived. The customer is recovering in a rehab center.
Email us your feedback. Your comments could be included in our “Mail” column.
Heroes
Her first clue was a pile of mail
This carrier came to the aid of a customer who had spent three days on the floor
Letter Carrier Beverly Marschilok was delivering mail with a trainee in Oneonta, NY, recently when she noticed mail building up at a customer’s home.
The Postal Service employee knocked on the customer’s door and heard a scream for help.
The customer had fallen three days earlier and couldn’t get up.
Marschilok and the trainee found a spare key, entered the home and called 911.
They stayed with the customer until paramedics arrived.
The customer is recovering in a rehabilitation center.
Employees featured in “Heroes” receive letters of commendation through the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program. The nomination form is available on Blue.
Employee cybersecurity training due in July
Postal Service bargaining employees have until Wednesday, July 8, and nonbargaining employees have until Wednesday, July 15, to complete the 2026 CyberSafe Fundamentals training course.
This course provides the information and best practices for keeping USPS electronic data secure.
Employees who do not complete the training by their respective deadline will have limited access to ACE systems until they finish the course.
Employees can access the course through the MyHR website.
The CyberSafe at USPS Blue training page has more information. Employees with questions can email the CyberSafe at USPS team.
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Here’s how to dodge imposter scams
The Postal Inspection Service shares ways older adults can avoid fraud
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Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered June 7-13
American Icons stamps and an employee’s food nonprofit made news
-
Heroes
Her first clue was a pile of mail
This carrier came to the aid of a customer who had spent three days on the floor
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Brief
Employee cybersecurity training due in July