This text is a cleverly disguised shopping scam - don't click!
Are you waiting on a package delivery right now? So are thousands of other Americans — and thanks to delivery services like Amazon and package trackers, we have a pretty good idea of when our goods will arrive.
That’s the reason scammers are changing tactics towards delivery notifications. By making you think a text is related to something you ordered, scammers can easily trick you into opening phishing messages and other nasty surprises. Tap or click here to see how to tell if your delivery notifications are real.
Fake delivery notification scams are spreading rapidly across the country — which is why groups like the Better Business Bureau are issuing warnings to consumers to pay close attention to text messages. If you get this particular line of text, make sure to ignore it. There’s no package, no delivery and no chance you’ll escape with your money untouched if you fall for it.
New delivery scam is targeting online shoppers
According to a new bulletin posted by the Better Business Bureau, a bizarre string of text messages has been circulating around the U.S. claiming to be package delivery notifications.
If you look at the message, it doesn’t seem too different from an ordinary delivery notification you might get from UPS or your apartment complex (if it has a mailroom).
The message urges recipients to “confirm their delivery” by following a link. But if you click the link you end up on a strange, generic-looking landing page that tells you to enter your credit or debit card number to “confirm your identity.” It also says the package is “free of charge,” despite the fact that deliveries (if you’re getting one) tend to be paid for upfront.
What’s going on here exactly?
Well, if you do enter the information, consider that card as good as gone. The website appears to connect back to a phishing server, and your card number will likely end up on a Dark Web marketplace before too long.
Tap or click here to see how much stolen cards go for on the Dark Web.
What can I do to protect myself from this scam?
Fortunately for you, this scam can only really hurt you if you make the mistake of falling for it. In many cases, this would be complicated by realistic-looking graphics, clever language and convincing landing pages. But in the case of this particular scam, you don’t even need to try hard to notice something wrong.
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