Waiting on a delivery? Make sure your 'you've missed a delivery' messages are genuine
If you've picked up a Black Friday bargain or started your Christmas shopping, we'll all be expecting more deliveries over the next month or so. So much so it can be difficult keeping track of which delivery company is delivering which parcel. This is an opportune time off scammers to catch us off guard and get us to give details or click on links that we might normally be more wary of.
Phishing is a technique that criminals use to target consumers with texts impersonating trusted organisations. These text messages often contain a link to a fraudulent website that replicates a legitimate site, asking the victim to enter personal and financial information.
The 'Sorry we missed you whilst you were out please call us on the number below for immediate delivery' , once called you will pay a high premium. The scammer may also tell you there is a surcharge as no stamps were on parcel and the driver can’t accept cash. They then obtain your card details over the phone. Alternatively it might be a text message or email saying you need to pay additional delivery charges.
Malicious texts are often part of a wider scam. If someone clicks on a link and provides information, they may then get a phone call from someone claiming to be from their bank. Exploiting the personal and financial information provided in the text message, the person offers to help safeguard funds by trying to convince someone to transfer money into a 'safe account?, which is in fact an account run by the same criminal that sent the original text message.
How to protect yourself:
- Never click on link from text or email unless you are 100% certain its genuine. It's much better to independently search the courier company and use your reference direct from their website
- Never give payment details from their attempt to contact you
- Report any phishing attempts via the details below
