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4 Tips To Help You Identify A Package Delivery Scam

  • Security
  • August 2020
  • Premier America

Have you received a text message recently asking you to claim or confirm a package that needs to be delivered? If you haven’t, then you need to be aware of the latest credit card scam, where hackers try to get you to click on a link in a text message in order to get your personal and financial information.

The text message will generally have wording similar to “[Name], we found a package from July owed to you. Please claim ownership and schedule for delivery here: [link]”. The link will likely ask you to confirm your personal information and, although there are no charges owed, you’re still asked to provide your credit card information.

Here are a few tips to help you identify this scam:

  1. The from phone number is not a known number or it may look suspicious.

  2. Your name may be misspelled or incorrect.

  3. You do not recall a missing delivery. Most delivery carriers will send you a text prior to sending you delivery updates asking your permission to receive these messages.
  4. Link looks suspicious. Most links in text messages are from actual delivery carriers and will have their name in the link, for example USPS.com/…
  5. You are asked to provide your personal information and/or your credit card number.

What should you do when you receive a message like this?

  1. Most importantly, DO NOT click on the link.

  2. DO NOT provide your personal information or your credit card number.

  3. Delete the message. You can even block the phone number in Settings so you don’t get any more messages from that number.
  4. Contact your wireless provider and report it to their Fraud Department.
If you feel like you need extra protection, you can contact your wireless provider and ask if they have a tool or service that helps you block calls and text messages that may be a risk for fraud.

During times like these, it’s important to keep vigilant for possible scams whether they are through text, email or a phone call.  Implementing these precautionary measures can help you better identify a scam when you see one.