Be Aware of Fake Delivery Notices

Holidays are popular for online shopping and a favorite time of year for scammers. It can be difficult to keep up with the delivery notices. Scammers use this to their advantage to send fake delivery notices, which may infect your computer or device. Below are helpful tips to look for when you receive a delivery.

• Fake delivery notices are designed to instill panic and get a quick reaction. Examples include: “Your delivery has been cancelled,” or “Re-enter your credit card number to help your package clear customs.” Take a moment to slow down and take a deep breath. Then, open a web browser and search to find a phone number for the company you made the purchase from and call that number to confirm delivery.
• Does the email or text notice include the name of a company where you did NOT make a purchase? Scammers often include popular company names in hopes that you will trust the fake notice and click on it. If you have not shopped there, do not click!
• Be aware of links in delivery messages. If the email or text notice uses “USPS,” or “UPS,” or “FedEx,” look carefully at the links in these notices. Instead of clicking on a link, call the company you made the purchase from for confirmation.
• Do not trust phone numbers in delivery notices. Fake delivery notices often contain a phone number, which leads directly to the scammer. Instead, open a web browser and search to find a phone number for the company you made the purchase from and call that number.
• Be very wary of someone calling you after you reply to a question in a text message. Even a delivery notice with a simple “yes” or “no” question may be the start of a ploy used by scammers to build your trust. Sometimes the scammer will even call you.

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