Online purchases and package deliveries skyrocket during the holiday season. Naturally, scammers use this opportunity to trick busy shoppers into giving out their personal information. Here's what you should know about a new twist on delivery scams.
How the scam works You receive a text message from what appears to be a delivery driver looking for your home. It says something like this: 'Hi! My name is Tony. I work for FedEx, and I'm trying to find your house. Please call me.' If the message seems a little strange to you, trust your gut. It's a scam!
A different delivery scam includes a text stating, 'The USPS package has arrived at the warehouse and cannot be delivered due to incomplete address information. Please confirm your addressin the link. https://realmastm.com (Please reply to 1, then exit the SMS, open the SMS activation link again, or copy the link to Safari browser and open it) The US Postal team wishes you a wonderful day.'
If you call the number, the scammer will ask you to confirm your personal details, including your name, address, and possibly even your credit card information. If you don't remember ordering anything that needs to be delivered, the caller may try to convince you the package is a gift from a friend or relative. According to BBB Scam Tracker reports, the callers are often friendly and professional, making the scam harder to spot.
Also, look out for text or email messages that ask you to reschedule a delivery or pay a small delivery fee. These messages often look legitimate - containing official logos and using professional language. But if you click, you may download malware onto your computer that gives con artists access to personal information and passwords.
In another example, a consumer reported this experience to BBB Scam Tracker, 'Pretends to be the post office asking for address verification for a package and then asks for credit card to pay $1.99 for deliver tax...'
In either case, the package doesn't exist. If you give up your personal information, it will be in the hands of con artists, and you'll be at risk of identity theft.
It's important to note that consumers will never receive unsolicited messages from USPS or other delivery services unless you have provided your contact information. You have access to free tools that provide shipping and delivery notifications, but you have to opt in to receive them.