Illustration of a potential package delivery scam.
Category: Fraud Prevention

Package Delivery Scams: 5 Warning Signs

The text message says you have a package on the way – a package you weren’t expecting. That’s the first sign to be wary.

By Doug Segrest |

The text message arrives unexpectedly. But, what a pleasant surprise! Your order is on its way.

You don’t remember the order? No problem. By clicking on a “tracking link,” you can check on your status, update your delivery of payment preferences or reschedule a delivery because you weren’t available.

But before you do, take a giant step back.

According to the FCC, package delivery scams are one of the latest methods criminals are using to take advantage of American consumers. By utilizing the lure of modern convenience amid a fast-paced lifestyle, their goal is to steal from you.

Package delivery scams are just an updated version of phishing and smishing. And with the holiday season approaching, they are a critical weapon in the fraud arsenal.
Jeff Taylor, head of Commercial Fraud Forensics at Regions Bank

“As we begin the holiday season, fraudsters will capitalize on the increase in online purchasing to attempt to entice you to provide your credentials or click on a malicious link in an email,” said Jeff Taylor, head of Commercial Fraud Forensics at Regions Bank. “Make sure you are diligent in your investigation before taking action.

“Package delivery scams are just an updated version of phishing and smishing. And with the holiday season approaching, they are a critical weapon in the fraud arsenal.”

While these messages may look or sound legitimate, do not click or call back a number from an unexpected delivery notice. Instead, contact the delivery service or seller directly through a verified number or website.

At Regions, we call that STOP, CALL and CONFIRM.

Stop, call the delivery service directly, and confirm when faced with a potential package delivery scam.

Even a callback can be nefarious. Often, the delivery message will use an unfamiliar area code (809, according to the FCC is a popular one) or a 10-digit international number. Calling back the number may result in expensive bills, at best.

Consider these tips from FedEx:

5 Warning Signs of Package Delivery Scams

    1. Unexpected requests for money in return for delivery of a package, often with a sense of urgency. Fraudsters love to use pressure tactics and chaos to entice their victims to act impulsively and without proper investigation.
    2. Requests for personal and/or financial information.
    3. Links to misspelled or slightly altered website addresses, such as “fedx.com” or “fed-ex.com.”
    4. Spelling and grammatical errors or excessive use or capitalization and exclamation points.
    5. Certificate errors or lack of online security protocols for sensitive activities.

 

Package delivery scams have become so popular that reputable companies have website pages dedicated to warning signs.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service provides advice on what to do if one becomes a victim of a package delivery scam.

6 Steps to Report USPS-Related Scams

    1. Report potential package delivery scams by emailing the U.S. Postal Inspection Service ([email protected]).
    2. Without clicking on the web link, copy the body of the suspicious text message and paste into a new email.
    3. Provide your name in the email, and also attach a screenshot of the text message showing the phone number of the sender and the date sent.
    4. Include any relevant details in your email. For example: if you clicked the link, if you lost money, if you provided any personal information or if you experienced any impacts on your credit or person.
    5. The Postal Inspection Service will contact you if more information is needed.
    6. Forward the smithing/text message to 7726 (this will assist with reporting the scam phone number).

 

If the delivery package scam came from a source other than the USPS, report the fraud online to the Federal Trade Commission.

“While it’s always a good idea to keep track of your incoming packages, think before you click on an unexpected message,” said Kimberly Reece of the Regions Fraud Prevention Customer Advocacy Team. “Using only the tracking links provided by the merchant can help you avoid falling victim to this package delivery scams.”

 

Valuable Fraud Prevention Resources from Regions.com

 

 

The information presented is general in nature and should not be considered, legal, accounting or tax advice. Regions reminds its customers that they should be vigilant about fraud and security and that they are responsible for taking action to protect their computer systems. Fraud prevention requires a continuous review of your policies and practices, as the threat evolves daily. There is no guarantee that all fraudulent transactions will be prevented or that related financial losses will not occur. Visit regions.com/STOPFRAUD or speak with your Banker for further information on how you can help prevent fraud.

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