Text claiming you have a package? Do not click
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.
In one version of the scam, the link takes you to a fake Amazon website, the FTC said.
“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.
These types of scams are types of phishing, the Better Business Bureau said.
“These either contain a ‘tracking link’ or a message that the shipper is having difficulty delivering a package to you, or most recently, a link to update delivery preferences,” the BBB said. “Clicking the link either takes you to a form that asks for personally identifying information, or to a site that downloads malware onto your computer.”
If you do get one of these texts, don’t click the link.
“If you get an unexpected text message, don’t click on any links. If you think it could be legit, contact the company using a website or phone number you know is real. Don’t use the information in the text,” the FTC said.
You can also report spam text messages to the FTC:
h Report it on the messaging app you use. Look for the option to report junk or spam.
h Copy the message and forward it to 7726 (SPAM).
h Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint.