A new scam has surfaced for innocent customers in the rush and bustle of the Christmas season: con artists posing as delivery men. A warning has been issued by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) on a potentially dangerous package delivery scam that starts off innocently with a text message and might jeopardize the security of personal information.
The Scam
This scam operates by having a fictitious “delivery person” send a text message claiming trouble finding the recipient’s address. To speed up delivery, the message requests that the receiver provide a call. After assuming a phony identity, such as “Tony from FedEx,” the con artist converses cordially with the victim over the phone while discreetly trying to get private information, such as complete names, addresses, or credit card numbers.
BBB Alert
The BBB underscores the importance of vigilance, advising consumers to trust their instincts if the communication feels off. Despite the caller’s friendly and professional behavior, any suspicion should not be ignored. As the BBB bluntly puts it, “If the message seems a little strange to you, trust your gut. It’s a scam.”
The timing of this scam is strategic, capitalizing on the holiday season when consumers are inundated with legitimate package deliveries. According to a recent TransUnion report, suspected digital fraud attempts in the United States surged by 12% from Black Friday to Cyber Monday compared to the rest of 2023, marking an 18% increase from the previous year. Fraudsters aim to exploit the chaotic shopping period, catching consumers off guard and increasing the likelihood of successful scams.
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More Similar Scams
The parcel delivery scam is only one example of a larger pattern of impostor frauds that take place during the holidays. The frequency of bogus calls claiming to be employees of power companies has increased. Visa has also released a scam notice, warning consumers of an increase in fraudulent online shopping schemes, in recognition of the spike in online buying over the holiday season.
It is urged that customers use a diversified strategy to protect themselves against these frauds. They should first and foremost keep in mind that reputable banks would never call and ask for personal information. Additionally, while purchasing online, it’s critical to take extra care to confirm the credibility of websites, paying close attention to spelling and other details. Caution is also advised when dealing with unexpected calls or texts, prompting consumers to verify the identity of the person reaching out.
Conclusion
A powerful barrier against scammers is taking charge of your online orders and paying attention to where you make purchases. As a helpful tool for customers, the BBB advises using a scam tracker to keep an eye on and report any questionable activity. You can also use Scam Legit to check whether it is a scam or legit.
Keeping up with the Better Business Bureau’s scam prevention rules is equally important to remaining one step ahead of con artists. To prevent the joy of giving from being tarnished by falling for more complex scams, consumers must continue to be watchful and proactive in protecting their personal information as the Christmas season approaches.
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