Delivery scam texts, or "smishing," are fraudulent messages that impersonate legitimate delivery services like USPS, FedEx, or UPS to steal personal information. These scams have surged in recent years, with consumers reporting significant losses. (mcafee.com)
What Are Delivery Scam Texts?
Scammers send unsolicited text messages claiming to be from delivery companies, often stating issues with your package or requesting urgent action. These messages may include links that, when clicked, can lead to phishing websites or install malware on your device. (consumer.ftc.gov)
How to Recognize a Scam Text
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Unsolicited Links: Legitimate delivery services typically do not send unsolicited texts with links. (consumer.ftc.gov)
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Urgent Language: Messages that create a sense of urgency, such as claiming your package is on hold or requires immediate action, are often scams. (bbb.org)
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Suspicious Sender Information: Check the sender's phone number or email address; official companies usually have recognizable contact details.
Steps to Protect Yourself
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Verify Delivery Information Independently: If you receive a suspicious message, do not click any links. Instead, visit the official website of the delivery service or retailer to check your order status. (consumer.ftc.gov)
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Use Built-in Phone Filters: Many smartphones have features to filter and block texts from unknown senders. Enable these features to reduce unwanted messages. (mcafee.com)
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Report Suspicious Messages: Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) to help carriers track and block these numbers. (totaldefense.com)
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Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about common scams and share this knowledge to help protect your community.
What to Do If You've Fallen Victim
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Contact Your Financial Institutions: If you provided sensitive information, inform your bank or credit card company immediately.
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Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check your financial statements for unauthorized transactions.
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Report the Scam: Notify the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your local authorities to help prevent future scams.
By staying vigilant and following these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to delivery scam texts.
Highlights:
- Beware of Fake USPS Text Messages, Published on Tuesday, June 11
- How to avoid the No. 1 text message scam putting your money at risk, Published on Thursday, August 24
- Four common text scams and how to spot them, Published on Tuesday, June 10
