Receiving fake delivery texts, often referred to as "smishing," is a common tactic used by scammers to deceive individuals into revealing personal information. These fraudulent messages typically impersonate legitimate delivery services, such as the United States Postal Service (USPS), UPS, or FedEx, and may contain links or requests for personal details. (time.com)
What Are Fake Delivery Texts?
Fake delivery texts are deceptive messages that appear to be from reputable delivery companies, informing you of a missed delivery or requesting additional information to complete a shipment. The goal is to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or providing sensitive data. For instance, a scammer might send a text claiming to be from USPS, stating that a package is awaiting delivery and prompting you to click a link to schedule a redelivery. Such links can lead to phishing websites designed to steal your personal information. (time.com)
How to Protect Yourself from Fake Delivery Texts
- Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Messages
Legitimate delivery services typically do not send unsolicited texts requesting personal information. Always approach unexpected messages with caution. (axios.com)
- Verify Through Official Channels
Instead of clicking on links within suspicious texts, visit the official website of the delivery service or contact their customer service directly to verify any claims. (axios.com)
- Enable Built-in Spam Filters
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iPhone Users: Go to Settings > Messages and enable "Filter Unknown Senders" to separate messages from unknown contacts. (mcafee.com)
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Android Users: Open the Messages app, tap the three-dot menu, select "Settings," then "Spam Protection," and enable "Enable Spam Protection." (mcafee.com)
- Use Carrier-Specific Spam Blocking Services
Many mobile carriers offer services to block spam texts:
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AT&T: Call Protect app blocks scam calls and texts. (mcafee.com)
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Verizon: Call Filter app identifies and blocks spam messages. (mcafee.com)
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T-Mobile: Scam Shield app provides free protection against scam texts and calls. (mcafee.com)
- Install Third-Party Spam Blocking Apps
Consider using reputable apps designed to block spam texts:
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Textkiller: Developed by the creators of Robokiller, Textkiller blocks over 100 million known scammers and offers customizable blocking features. (whistleout.com)
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Truecaller: Identifies and blocks spam messages and calls, providing real-time alerts. (makeuseof.com)
- Report Suspicious Messages
Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) to help carriers identify and block spam sources. (mcafee.com)
Conclusion
Protecting yourself from fake delivery texts requires vigilance and the use of available tools and services. By implementing the strategies outlined above, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to these deceptive schemes.
Highlights:
- Beware of Fake USPS Text Messages, Published on Tuesday, June 11
- "Don't click the link": How to avoid package delivery text scams, Published on Tuesday, December 10
