Watch out for text messages about package deliveries from FedEx, USPS or UPS; it could be a scam

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Did you get a text from USPS, FedEx or UPS asking you to click a link about your package delivery? With holidays approaching and online shopping in full swing, double-check before clicking that tracking link.

It could be a scam.

The Federal Trade Commission said scammers send a text message with a fake shipment tracking code and a link to update your delivery preferences to get access to personal information.



"There, you're invited to take a customer satisfaction survey. And you might just win a free prize. But to get it, you have to give them your credit card number to pay for shipping," the FTC said.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/watch-out-for-text-messages-about-package-deliveries-from-fedex-usps-or-ups-it-could-be-a-scam/ar-BB1buIvd?li=BBnb7Kz

[yankeepants]

1. I get those. Never answer them.

[SWBTATTReg]

2. Thanks for the heads up. I just got one of these msgs. (UPS) and I was indeed, expecting a pkg.,

I've sent my sister a confirmation email (did she in fact send something to me?) and am awaiting word from her.

Thanks so much to alerting us of this scam, I didn't know about this particular one, so I appreciate it very much!!

[Midnightwalk]

3. Red flags

Phishing often is urgent to make you click before thinking. Urgent, critical, time is running out should all make you pause.

Don’t get fooled by specific information like that 7H5S5 package number. Or your name or any other details. They don’t add credibility.

This is supposedly from USPS. A sane URL would be something like blahblahblah.usps.gov. Instead it is something like l8smk.info. That’s all you need to know it’s malicious.

Don’t ever click links in an email. You want to go to your account at usps? Type in usps in the top of your browser. There it is! usps.com (not .gov like I typed above). You shouldn’t even trust the url even if it looks ok. The one exception I follow is the email you get to reset your password. But only when I just asked for a reset.

Clicking a link can install malware or expose information you don’t want to.

Credit card number? Only when you are purchasing something. They are going to give you something valuable enough for you to risk your credit card, but are too cheap to pay for shipping? They need age validation? Your bs detector should be screaming at that nonsense.

[In It to Win It]

4. I delete them all the time

[Sogo]

5. I got one and did NOT click on it,

even though I am expecting a package....but I think it's coming from USPS, so better to be safe....

[Freethinker65]

6. Thx! Just made an online purchase and signed up to be notified by text!

Hope the actual business sends me a tracking number like they have in the past. They immediately sent an order confirmation.

I would never re-enter any personal info, but will be extra careful from now on.

[budkin]

7. I've already gotten a few

Delete.

[soldierant]

8. Maybe I shouldn't say this -

educating spammers is the last thing I want to do, and anyone can see this - but whoever sent that one is unbelievably ignorant about tracking numbers. Without exception, whether USPS, UPS, or FedEx, they are all at least five times that long. USPS numbers begin with 9. UPS numbers begin with 1Z.

I realize things can change ... but no one is going to be using tracking numbers that short in the foreseeable future.

I subscribe to USPS's "Informed Delivery" service (free, go to USPS.com) and, while not perfect, it is tremendously helpful - it was even before the pandemic, and now it is a lifeline. I only need to go all the way to the mailbox (not a big deal - unless you are mobility challenged, which I am) when I know there is something there worth getting.