DES MOINES, Iowa — The holidays are causing an uptick in package deliveries and the United States Postal Service is warning customers to watch out for scam messages regarding packages.

The messages have been circulating for months, but the holiday season has more people interacting with the scam.

In the message, scammers claim your package was unable to be delivered due to a wrong address or postage issues. The message will have a link that they ask the recipient to click on and fill out, including address and credit card information.

These messages are fake and can be easily identified. Typically, the message will come from a random number and claim that if you don’t follow the link your package will be returned.

“The Postal Service does not reach out to our customers about anything that’s missing or a package that may not be coming to you,” said Mark Inglett the USPS Strategic Communications Manager. “So please be on guard about that.”

If there were to be an issue with your package the USPS does not charge to have the package delivered. The USPS would use their tracking system to update recipients with any information on delays or delivery issues, not reach out personally.

There is a way to sign up to receive updates from the USPS, but the number will be from an official sender who can be traced back through the website.

“Any time you go to USPS and you’re tracking a package that you have coming to you, you can type in that number and then you can request updates by email or text about that package,” said Inglett.

The USPS encourages anyone who receives a message to go through their website before clicking on any links.

If you receive a scam message claiming one of your packages cannot be delivered, report that message on the USPS Inspection Service website or forward the messages to spam@uspis.gov.

“You people out there trying to scam or be a porch pirate, stop it. Santa Claus is watching you.”