You check your text messages and notice one from the United States Postal Service, informing you that they are unable to deliver a package. Here it is December, and one of your purchases—possibly an important gift for someone—is tied up in the postal system! The message has a link you can follow to fix the problem.
Should you click or tap that link?
ABSOLUTELY NOT.
'Tis the Season
Scammers send out millions of fraudulent messages every day, hoping to trick people into handing over personal information or account data and passwords. One of their most effective techniques is attempting to scare potential victims into acting without thinking first.
The holidays, when people are doing a lot of online shopping and expecting a lot of deliveries, are prime time for sending alarming text messages that claim a delivery can’t be completed. They may say your address is incorrect, that a package has been lost, or that you need to pay extra postage before they can deliver your item. To complicate matters, the USPS does send legitimate text messages to customers who signed up for Informed Delivery through the USPS website. How can you spot a fake notification?
How to Spot a Fake Shipping Notification Text
- If the message has a link – AT ALL – it is fraudulent. USPS does not include links in their texts. Ignore and delete.
- If the message does NOT have a tracking number, it is fraudulent. Ignore and delete.
- If the message contains incorrect grammar, spelling or capitalization, it is fraudulent. You guessed it: ignore and delete.
What About Your Real Deliveries?
First, keep track of what you’ve ordered, from where, and which shipping service is being used. Online retailers generally include this information when you order; for example, if you ordered from Amazon, you can log in to Amazon directly and track your orders from there.
Second, if you suspect a problem, or just want to monitor shipping progress, use the tracking number on the shipper’s actual website (USPS, UPS, FexEx, etc.).
Finally, all of the major shipping companies have mobile apps that allow for easy tracking of shipments. Install them on your phone and you can stay up-to-date on everything you’re waiting for, and ignore those scammy texts completely.
Watch your inbox for more Seasonal Scam Safety Tips!