Do you remember the days when package deliveries from companies like Fedex or UPS were on-time, every time? These days, not so much. Right? I covered these scams a few years ago in my post, 5 tips to avoid a package delivery scam, but in 2023, scammers have come up with a new twist on this old standby.
How the latest package delivery scam works
We’ve all become used to the idea that when we place an online order, we’ll receive a tracking code. This code can be used by the sender to take you to any webpage. For legitimate deliveries, this code lets you follow your package’s progress (or lack, thereof) as it makes its way to your door. But there’s a dark side to those codes. For a scammer, they provide a way to easily deceive you. That’s where the package delivery scam, well, takes a wrong turn.
Text or phone call version
What would you do if you got a text or phone call from someone claiming they were trying to deliver a package, but they couldn’t find your house? If you were expecting a package, it would be easy to fall for this trick. If you weren’t expecting a delivery, you might insist that you didn’t order anything. That’s not a problem for scammers. They have a quick and believable response—it’s a gift.
Email and in-person versions
There are also times when the package delivery scam begins with an email or note left on your door asking you to help reschedule a delivery. In these versions, the scammer will provide a website address. The link might take you to a fake website where your computer will download malware or a tracking program that harvests your personal information including usernames and passwords.
How to avoid the scam
Avoiding a package delivery scam isn’t hard. Once again, we’re just following the same old rules that have been around since the dawn of email, text, and phone scams.
Tip #1: Don’t talk to strangers. If you get a phone call or text from someone you don’t know, do not give out personal information. This includes your address. If you feel you need to confirm information about a delivery, find a known number for the company and call that number. While this takes more time, at least you’ll get a real person and not a scammer.
Tip #2: Don’t click that link! Always find a known website address (URL) for the company you need to contact. Also, be sure the URL is secure by checking to see if the address begins with ‘https://’.
Want more tips about package delivery scams? Check out this Federal Communications Commission webpage. Did you see last month’s scam tip? You can find it at Animal adoption scams – how to spot and avoid them. Click here to view more Friday Morning Post entries, or you can follow me on Twitter.
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Entering is simple. Just leave a comment on this scam tip or work this week’s Peacock Train Jigsaw Puzzle and leave a comment that includes your time. At the end of the month, I’ll select a random winner from all of the comments. If I select your comment, you’ll win! Leave a comment on all six posts this month and you’ll get six chances to win!
This is such an appropriate scam tip with the way the world is today.
It’s so sad and scary that there are so many evil people out there who have no moral compass! How can they justify the fact that they are scamming trusting people out of their money? I just say, never answer the phone unless you know the number. And definitely, like you said, don’t click links!