Latest news with #USPIS
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US-Based Chinese Logistics Firms Caught Using Counterfeit USPS Labels
Two Chinese logistics firms based in New York and California have been barred from using the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) over allegations that they perpetuated a years-long counterfeit postage scheme. On May 15, the U.S. filed a civil complaint in a Brooklyn federal court alleging that YDH Express, Inc. and YDH Int'l Inc., which are based in Queens, N.Y. and Los Angeles, Calif., along with their owner, Yizhao 'Harvey' Hou, conspired and committed mail fraud by shipping thousands of parcels hailing from China using their own fake USPS postage labels. More from Sourcing Journal Trans-Pacific Freight Rates Soar as China Cargo Bookings Rebound Temu Re-Ups Direct-from-China Shipments Amidst Tariff Pause Trump Administration Slashes De Minimis Duties as Trade War Cools Joseph Nocella, Jr., a United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Edward Gallashaw, Acting Inspector in Charge for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), announced Wednesday that a temporary restraining order will bar both firms from utilizing the postal service. According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office, the companies would regularly receive packages from their customers in China and send them to customers through USPS. The U.S. complaint seeks injunctive relief under the Anti-Fraud Injunction Act, and it also seeks to provide relief to USPS, which suffered financial losses due to the long-running illegal operation. One day after the suit was filed, U.S. District Court Judge Natasha C. Merle served the defendants with a temporary restraining order. 'The Postal Service provides essential services to Americans, and we will not tolerate attempts by unscrupulous overseas businesses using fake postage to unlawfully deprive USPS of revenue it is entitled to,' Nocella said this week. 'My Office is working diligently with our partners at the United States Postal Inspection Service to stop this ongoing fraud against the Postal Service.' Nocella said the USPIS and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) rooted out the fraudulent activity. Gallashaw said that 'Hou allegedly cared only about making a profit at the expense of the USPS.' The government agencies worked together to identify him and unearth the bogus postage operation. 'Postal Inspectors will use all of our resources to put an end to the use of counterfeit postage and hold accountable all who seek to defraud the USPS. We will fulfill our mission to strengthen the American public's trust in the U.S. Mail,' he added. The complaint detailed a scam wherein the defendants conspired to ship—and did send—thousands of parcels that bore fake USPS labels, which they received from their customers located in China. They are charged with mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud, along with violations of the False Claims Act (FCA), which will allow the government to pursue 'treble damages and penalties' or three times the monetary damage caused by the firms through the scheme. The temporary restraining order said that there is 'probable cause to believe that defendants are still engaged in the ongoing commission of mail fraud, and are still engaged in the ongoing conspiracy to commit mail fraud,' and that without an order barring the defendants from usting the postal service, USPS would suffer 'irreparable harm.'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Receive a random package you didn't order? You may be a victim of a ‘brushing' scheme — here's how it works
Ray Simmons was baffled when an Amazon package containing beet chews landed on his doorstep. 'I did think that maybe someone in my family was playing a joke on me, that they were telling me that I needed to eat healthier,' Simmons shared with WSB-TV Atlanta. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) But the package wasn't a joke. Simmons, as he would come to learn, had unwillingly become the target of a scam known as 'brushing.' The scheme is reportedly designed to exploit consumer data and manipulate online product reviews, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) reports. And while that may seem fairly harmless, USPIS has issued a warning to Americans across the country: if you receive a package that you didn't order, do not scan any QR codes that come with it. The brushing scam involves third-party sellers on e-commerce platforms that send unsolicited, low-value items to random people whose names and addresses were found online. Once the item is shipped, the scammers leave fake five-star reviews online using the recipient's name, or a fake profile made to resemble the recipient. The goal is to make the seller's products appear popular and highly rated in order to gain more visibility and sales. 'They didn't order anything, they received it, and it's generally a household item, a low-value item,' said U.S. Postal Inspector David Gealey. 'They have your personal information, which is easy to get because they can just Google a name and address. It's out there on the web, right?' Although the brushing scam might not directly lead to a financial loss, it signals that your personal information — such as your name and address — is being used without your knowledge. And that personal information could be circulating on unsecured databases or among bad actors online. All of this would be cause for concern, but the dangers of this scam can become a lot more severe if the target does not exercise caution. Read more: You're probably already overpaying for this 1 'must-have' expense — and thanks to Trump's tariffs, your monthly bill could soar even higher. Here's how 2 minutes can protect your wallet right now Postal inspectors say the real danger comes when these packages include a QR code, which urges recipients to scan for more information or to confirm the delivery. These codes can lead to malicious websites that steal personal data, install malware or phish for sensitive information. 'We do caution customers: do not scan any QR code on the package because sometimes that QR code can lead to a malicious site,' Gealey warned. Fortunately, Simmons' package did not contain a QR code. However, he still took a few necessary steps to protect himself and ensure his Amazon and banking accounts hadn't been compromised. Receiving an unexpected package could indicate that your personal information is being misused. Here's what USPIS recommends. Do not scan QR codes: As we discussed above, scanning QR codes from unreliable sources can bring on a heap of trouble that could lead to stolen personal data or harmful malware installed on your device(s). Do not return the item: You are not legally obligated to return unsolicited items. Simply keeping or discarding the package is safe, but don't follow any instructions that came with it. Check your financial accounts: Review your online bank and credit card statements, as well as your online shopping profiles and Amazon account activity immediately to ensure that your accounts haven't been hacked. Report the package: Notify your local police department, USPIS and/or the Federal Trade Commission about the unsolicited package. Reporting the package can help authorities with their investigation and can potentially prevent others from becoming a victim. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Nevada woman, 80, pleads guilty in lottery scam case that defrauded ‘vulnerable' victims of more than $15M
An 80-year-old Nevada woman, Barbara Trickle, pled guilty on April 28 to running a years-long lottery scam in federal court that defrauded victims of more than $15 million, according to the U.S. Office of Public Affairs (PAO). Trickle and two others stand accused of one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, a crime which 8 News Now says carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, plus a minimum fine of $250,000. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Trickle and her accomplices allegedly mailed millions of fake prize notices to potential victims from 2012 to 2018. Recipients were told that they would receive a large cash prize if they paid a fee between $20 and $50, according to court documents. The three scammers were accused of their crime in 2023 as a result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). 'The defendant and her co-conspirators used the promise of sweepstakes winnings to defraud the most vulnerable members in our communities,' said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the service's Criminal Investigations Group during the case, according to PAO. '[We] will continue to aggressively investigate mass-mailing schemes and other types of fraud to protect older Americans from financial exploitation and bring criminals to justice.' While Trickle's scheme targeted individuals of all ages and backgrounds, prosecutors say that many of the victims were older adults. Trickle was the owner of a printing and mailing business, and supervised the lasering, printing and mailing of the fraudulent prize notices — even directing her employees to collect and analyze data to improve the response rate of victims. Once a victim replied to the scheme with the $20 to $50 fee, they received a 'report' describing sweepstakes opportunities, or what the PAO report described as 'a trinket of minimal value.' Any respondents were 'inundated' with additional mailers in the hopes of extracting more money. But none of the victims were ever paid the prize that was promised. In 2018, the USPIS executed multiple search warrants and the Department of Justice (DOJ) obtained a court order to shut down Trickle's fraudulent operations. 'The Department of Justice's Consumer Protection Branch is committed to protecting elderly consumers from fraudulent mass-mailing schemes,' said Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth of the Justice Department's Civil Division, according to the PAO press release. 'We are grateful to the Postal Inspection Service for their thorough investigation in this matter.' Read more: BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has an important message for the next wave of American retirees — here's how he says you can best weather the US retirement crisis Believe it or not, scams like this are common, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reporting that seniors are losing more than $3 billion annually to elder fraud. But there are a number of government supports in place to help seniors who have been victims of scams. The Office for Victims of Crime manages a National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11, open to all Americans aged 60 and older who have been a victim of financial fraud. Case managers will help victims by recommending appropriate reporting agencies, providing information to victims that will assist them in reporting and connect them directly with appropriate agencies. The service is also available in multiple languages. The DOJ also maintains an Elder Justice Initiative, and complaints may also be filed online. Finally, be sure to educate yourself about the types of scams that fraudsters use to target older adults, and check in with friends and family before you reply to any mail-based or online messages that look too good to be true. If the offer is high-pressure or time-sensitive, that's often a sign that it's a scam you'll want to avoid. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Newsweek
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
What Do the Postal Police Do? Latest Agency Drafted Into Mass Deportations
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Another federal agency is now involved in the Trump administration's widening crackdown on illegal immigration: the United States Postal Inspection Service. First reported by The Washington Post Tuesday night, the relatively small department within the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is now working in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide details on potential illegal immigrants, including account data and credit card information. "This is a continuation of a pattern that we've seen from the administration that is attempting to destroy guard rails within government that protect personal data," Don Pell, policy counsel at the Project on Government Oversight, told Newsweek. "Every federal agency contains enormous amounts of data on people, business groups, so on and so forth, and what we're seeing with a lot of the recent reporting, with some of the actions that have been spurred by executive orders, is this is this attempted aggregation of data that really does risk infringing upon, and probably is infringing upon, privacy rights and constitutional rights." Newsweek reached out to USPIS for comment via email Wednesday morning. A DHS official did not answer questions on what data was being shared, instead telling Newsweek that the administration "will use every tool and resource available" to secure the border and remove illegal immigrants. "These actions are a key part of ensuring law enforcement has the resources they need to fulfill President Donald Trump's promise to the American people to remove violent criminals from our streets, dismantle drug and human trafficking operations, and make America safe again," the official said. The United State Postal Service mailbox in Monterey Park, California, as seen on February 4, 2025. The United State Postal Service mailbox in Monterey Park, California, as seen on February 4, 2025. FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images What Is USPIS? The Postal Inspection Service is the country's oldest federal law enforcement agency, having been around for 248 years. Its mission is to protect the USPS, its workers, and Americans who use the system. Among its officers' duties are preventing the trafficking of narcotics, such as fentanyl, and preventing and investigating mail and identity theft, as well as enforcing global mail security. While working with DHS on immigration appears to be a new development, USPIS frequently works with other federal agencies to secure prosecutions for other crimes related to the postal service. How Is USPIS Aiding Mass Deportations? USPIS is now handing over photos and scans of the outside of envelopes and packages, the Post reported, from a service known as "mail covers." DHS has also been granted access to other surveillance systems, as well as USPS online account data and mail tracking. That information, like other data held by other federal agencies, has largely been kept within USPIS unless criminal activity was detected, such as fentanyl trafficking or child pornography distribution. Adam Schwartz, privacy litigation director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told Newsweek that the USPS moving out of its usual lane was concerning for everyone's privacy, given that any user of the service leaves behind "digital breadcrumbs" when buying things like stamps or using mail-tracking services. "All you think you're doing is being the customer of a service to deliver your letter and the postal services is collecting this information about you, which to a point is OK, if they are using that information for the intended purpose, which is to process your purchase, to give you the information you want," Schwartz said. "So it's very alarming that according to this this new report, the Postal Service is taking this data and handing it over to a different government agency for the purpose of law-enforcement and of deporting immigrants. If they can hand over your information to find immigrants, they can handover your information to do to do anything." U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detain someone in Silver Spring, Maryland, on January 27, 2025. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detain someone in Silver Spring, Maryland, on January 27, 2025. AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File Schwartz said similar practices have played out before. In the 1930s and 1940s, Census Bureau data was used to round up and remove Japanese Americans. During Richard Nixon's presidency, he used sensitive IRS and FBI information when forming his enemies list. The information USPIS hands over to DHS will likely aid wider actions in tracking down and detaining those in the United States without legal status, or who have violated immigration rules. The department has been trying to find those who entered the U.S. illegally and have managed to stay off the radar by making it a requirement for all immigrants to register with DHS. So far, around 47,000 have done so. According to the Post, sources within USPIS said it was felt the agency should cooperate with immigration enforcement, due to reports that the administration wanted to downsize or make drastic changes to USPS overall. Multiple Federal Agencies Involved In a video of an immigration raid in Colorado on Sunday, USPS police were seen among other federal agents, including those from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration. 🥂 Part of busting up the underground nightclub in Colorado Springs included the arrest of 114 illegal aliens.#DEA partners and @DHSgov placed patrons (in the U.S. illegally) on buses for processing and likely eventual deportation. — DEARockyMountain (@DEAROCKYMTNDiv) April 27, 2025 While U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the primary agency responsible for detaining and deporting illegal immigrants, the Trump administration has been drafting agents from across the federal government to assist in its efforts to ramp up deportations. Sightings of FBI, DEA, and other agents have become a common occurrence during targeted enforcement efforts, along with those from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). This has prompted concerns from some that attention has shifted from focusing on known violent or sexual offenders, but the White House has insisted that agents are going after the "worst first." ICE said on Tuesday that it had deported over 65,000 people since January 20, part of a larger number given by DHS of 142,000. President Trump, however, promised millions would be deported under his leadership, and agencies have reportedly been under pressure to dramatically increase deportations. The expanding nature of DHS's efforts, including requesting data from USPIS, worried both Bell and Schwartz, who told Newsweek that previous data protections for all living in the U.S. were being dismantled. "When you are removing the barriers that have that have allow for people to feel safe in sending information to the government, I think that has a chilling effect across the board," Bell said.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Yahoo
Timbergrove Heights residents frustrated by ongoing mail theft caught on camera
The Brief Residents of Timbergrove Heights have been dealing with mail theft for four months, with incidents captured on surveillance cameras. Board President Jacob expressed frustration over the lack of response from USPIS, despite multiple attempts to contact them. Local law enforcement is unable to intervene as mail theft is a federal crime, leaving residents waiting for answers from USPS. HOUSTON - Residents of Houston's Timbergrove Heights are expressing frustration after months of dealing with mail theft, with little response from the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). What they're saying Residents in Timbergrove Heights have been facing mail theft for approximately four months, with perpetrators caught on camera stealing from mailboxes. Jacob, the board president of Timbergrove Heights, shared the community's concerns. "It's been rough. We've had neighbors with tax returns stolen, fraudulent credit cards, and other fraud," Jacob said. The thefts have been captured on surveillance cameras, showing individuals opening mailboxes and taking their contents. "I want to see them get caught. They somehow got a hold of the mail key. I don't know if it's something happening internally at the post office, but it's obviously a pretty big deal," Jacob added. Residents have reached out to USPS for assistance, as mail theft is a federal crime, which limits the involvement of local law enforcement, like the Houston Police Department. "I reached out to Houston police on their non-emergency line, and they told me it wasn't their jurisdiction because it's a federal crime," Jacob explained. Despite multiple attempts to contact USPS via phone and email, Jacob has yet to receive a response. "I reached out to USPS twice by email, once by phone. I have yet to hear back from them," he said. Timeline Mail thefts at the residence have been ongoing since November 2024, according to Jacob. November 2024: Jacob and his wife never received a $100 check. November 2024 - January 2025: Various neighbors took to a Facebook group to report missing mail. The board of directors placed a camera in the window of a neighbor's house. February 16: Video shows two women on foot stealing mail. No vehicle or plate number. On March 7: Video shows a Hyundai entering the neighborhood and parked in front of the mailboxes. A single female was seen stealing mail. Video of vehicle and partial license plate caught on camera. What's next Fox 26 also reached out to USPS via email regarding these allegations but did not receive a response in time for this report. What you can do If you believe to be a victim of theft you can file a claim with USPIS here and USPS here The Source Jonathan Mejia spoke to Jacob, Timbergrove Height's board president.
