USPS customers are being warned over any surprise knocks at their door as part of an elaborate new scheme targeting mail.

The warning stems from a rash of cases of homeowners being approached about missing packages.

Scammers are buying expensive electronics products like phones, tablets, and computers under someone else’s name, according to local authorities, as reported by Wegna’s Kentucky affiliate WHAS.

After the package is delivered to the victims’ houses in Kentucky and southern Indiana, scammers rush to pick it up.

The scammers avoid facing confrontation from homeowners by tracking the package’s whereabouts and stealing it when homeowners aren’t there to receive it.

Or, in some cases, they are bold enough to knock on the victim’s door and ask for their “missing package.”

“You need to be aware,” Scott County, Indiana Sheriff Jerry Goodin told WHAS.

“Most of these deliveries have confirmation numbers on them and they’ll know exactly when they’ll be delivered, so they’ll beat the victim to the mailbox.”

Once the scammer is sure the package has been delivered to the victim’s address, they will walk right up to their front door.

If the victim is home at the time, they’ll knock on the door and ask for the mystery package.

There have also been instances where the scammers have impersonated a homeowner and claimed the package from USPS, according to WHAS.

Other times, scammers requested a shipping address change and had expensive items delivered to a drop location to be picked up later.

But who is to blame for this seemingly simple scam?

Goodin believes the power of rising technology has made it easier for scammers to find and steal sensitive information like tracking numbers and home addresses.

“Don’t give out any information on the internet,” he warned.

“If it sounds dangerous or bad, it probably is.”

Bank tips for avoiding scams

As scams become more sophisticated with the use of artificial intelligence, it is important you know how to spot a scam:

• Be skeptical of online deals that seem too good to be true, especially on social media.
• Scammers will often use tactics to make you panicked so you make quick decisions – be cautious if you are told to take immediate action and verify who has contacted you.
• Chase Bank warns customers to “never return any unexpected funds without calling Chase first.”
• Never send money to someone you have only spoken to online or by phone as this is likely a romance scam.
• Unless you 100% know who you are talking to, never give someone remote access to your device.
• Never accept help from strangers at an ATM and always be vigilant when making withdrawals.
• Do not send money or click any links indicating that you have won a prize.

Source: Chase.com

One Louisville native believes she fell victim to this fake delivery scam.

As captured on security camera footage, the victim witnessed two women ringing her front doorbell.

They were seen seemingly rehearsing what they were going to say to the victim to get the package, as reported by WHAS.

Suspicious of their actions, the Kentucky woman called the police and gave the authorities two phones she had received in the mail — the items the scammers were apparently trying to get.

If you get a delivery you didn’t order, Goodin says you need to contact the seller immediately.

The next step is to call your local police department and hand over any items you received in the mail.

Goodin told WHAS his department will prosecute offenders to the “fullest extent of the law.”

He says it is best to report anything you find suspicious and take note of packages or deliveries that seem unusual.

Although Goodin acknowledges the power of the internet, he is wary of its negative effects on consumers who trust it blindly.