As Christmas approaches and the holiday delivery season ramps up, consumers should be cautious if they receive emails or text messages about an undeliverable package, warns Patrick Morrisey, West Virginia’s attorney general.
When you buy something online, retailers might send several notification emails or texts about your order, including an order confirmation email, a shipping notification and a notification when your package has been delivered.
Scammers can send fake emails or texts about an undeliverable package. These messages say that, to get your shipment, you should click on a link to provide more information.
Scammers also might send a message that your purchase is ready to ship but you need to update your shipping preferences.
One tactic these scammers use is making the messages sound urgent by saying, if you don’t respond quickly, your package will be returned to the sender.
How to stay safe
To protect your information, do not click on a link to update your information. When you contact the scammer, they will ask for verification of your accounts or other identification to be able to access your account.
If you think the message could be about a purchase you have recently made, go to the website where you placed your order and check the status of your shipment.
If you think the message could be legitimate, contact the shipping company using a phone number or website you know is authentic. Do not rely on the information in the message.
Package theft
To avoid having packages stolen, consumers should consider having packages shipped to their workplace or to a trusted neighbor’s house instead of allowing packages to be left unattended at home.
Consumers can also opt to have their packages shipped to an authorized FedEx or UPS location for pick up.
For packages delivered by the postal service, customers can place a Hold Mail request to have all mail delivered to their post office for three to 30 days for them to pick up at their convenience.
Informed Delivery customers can leave delivery instructions on where to place a package. Learn more about informed delivery at USPS.com/manage/informed-delivery.htm.
Installing doorbell cameras that can be connected to a smartphone or computer might also ensure a record of package delivery, or anyone tampering with delivered packages.
Anyone who believes they have been the victim of a scam should contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, at 800-368-8808, or file a complaint online, at ago.wv.gov.
CLICK HERE to follow the ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Gazette-Mail and receive
