The holiday shopping season has officially kicked off, and as expected, BBB is receiving reports of delivery related scams and “porch pirates” – thieves who brazenly steal delivered items right off your front step or porch.
With millions of packages delivered each year, con artists know that many people are expecting package deliveries and are less likely to second guess a message that prompts action or information to finalize a delivery. Thieves also know there will be more packages delivered and sitting at the front of residences.
These scenarios make people more vulnerable to package and delivery scams during the holiday season. Fortunately, there are many ways to protect yourself from the shady tactics. Here’s tips from your BBB to help you identify and avoid delivery related issues so you can focus on enjoying the holidays with family and friends:
— Watch for phishing texts or emails claiming to be from delivery companies. It can be hard to tell a valid delivery text from a bogus one, but there’s common red flags to watch for. The bogus messages usually claim that the shipper is having difficulty delivering a package or needs an update to your delivery preferences. In either case, a “tracking link” is included, and that’s where the issues come in.
By clicking on a link in a message from an unknown or unexpected sender, you could be taken to a form that’s designed to gain personal information and steal your identity. A link could also lead you to a site that downloads malware onto your computer or phone without you detecting it. This could include a virus or even spyware that allows scammers to gather your keystrokes. As you log into your accounts, including your bank accounts, they could be tracking your login information.