Package delivery email scams run in cycles. Watch for fake shipping notifications during the holidays because that’s when this email scam is at its highest level of the year. As email consumers have become more savvy, the scammers have also reverted to telemarketing. Don’t be surprised if this scam begins with a phone call. The major shipping and package delivery services such as FedEx, UPS, and USPS have posted notifications cautioning consumers about this scam.
One of the scam watchdog groups, Snopes.com, is currently listing package delivery emails as a delivery mechanism for a virus. Don’t be surprised to see these shipping notification emails being used as ways to deliver malware also.
[mckenna float=right]Here are five tips to help spot and deal with fraudulent shipping notification emails.
- Do a quick look through the email. Does it contain any typos? Grammatical mistakes? Demand immediate attention? If so, drop it in the spam can.
- Is the email personalized? If it’s sent to “Dear Customer” or some other generic salutation, it’s spam. Junk it.
- Does it lack details in the body of the email? Perhaps it includes an attachment or advises you to click a link to get the package details. Fake.
- If you still haven’t tossed that email into junk mail, the question is, were you expecting a package delivery? If so, with which carrier? Did you sign up for shipping notifications? Does the information match what you were expecting? If either answer is no, there’s another reason to junk it.
- Here’s the failsafe mechanism. Still not sure? Call the carrier. Don’t use the links or telephone numbers in the email. Just search for the carrier or go to their website for their contact information. Believe me, one phone call about a package delivery email could save you tons of trauma later.
