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(From the Financial Literacy Blog) – In today’s digital age, online shopping has revolutionized the way we make purchases, making it easier than ever to buy goods from the comfort of our homes. According to the latest report from Pitney Bowes, a partner of the U.S. Postal Service, 58 million parcels were shipped in the U.S. each day in 2022. Americans shipped, received, and returned 21.2 billion parcels throughout that same calendar year. While shipping has made shopping easier than ever, the convenience comes with the risk of falling victim to shipping scams. Here is how you can identity, and most importantly avoid, falling victim to them.
Be Cautious of Unexpected Emails or Texts
A common scam is fraudsters sending phishing emails or texts disguised as legitimate notifications from well-known companies such as FedEx, UPS, or USPS. The messages often contain links or attachments, and clicking on them can put you at risk of identity theft, financial loss, or both. You may be prompted to confirm your delivery address or enter other personal information before your package can be delivered. Alternatively, the link or attachment can trigger an automatic download or send you to a site that puts malware on your device.
A legitimate shipping company will never send you unsolicited links or attachments. Plus, any messages with grammar or spelling errors should be a giveaway that it’s a scam attempt. Watch out for URLs that appear similar but are slightly different than the legitimate source, as well as email addresses that look official but preview differently when you hover your cursor over them. The best thing to do if you receive communications with suspicious links or attachments is to delete them. If you think there may be a legitimate problem with your delivery, go to the shipping company’s website directly and contact them there.
Track Your Shipments Securely
When you purchase an item from a reputable retailer, you’ll likely receive a tracking number. You can enter this number on the shipping company’s website or app to see where your package is. If you get a suspicious email or text saying your package has been “lost,” check your tracking number by going to the official website or app before taking any action. Do not enter your tracking number if prompted via text or email. If the status of your package shows that it’s still in route, you’ll know it was a scam attempt. If it does show that it’s lost, contact the shipping company directly for next steps.
Another common scam is for fraudsters to leave a “missed delivery” tag on your door. Again, check the tracking number to confirm it’s legitimate. If the official website or app says it was a “missed delivery,” you’ll know it’s authentic. If the tracking number shows the package is still in route, the tag is fake. Do not scan any QR codes or visit websites as instructed on the spoofed tag.
Use a Secure Payment Method
When purchasing goods from a retailer or seller that will be shipped to you, use secure payment methods. Avoid paying with cash or unusual payment methods such as wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or prepaid cards. Instead, opt for paying with a credit card or a secure online payment platform, such as PayPal. These payment options offer added protection against fraud and unauthorized charges. If you don’t receive what you ordered, or you get something different from what was described, you may receive a full reimbursement of the item––even including original shipping costs.
Don’t Respond to Requests for More Money
If you’ve already paid for a package and the shipping fees required for delivery, the shipping company won’t contact you at a later date and ask you to send more money. This is a common scam attempt. Scammers will reach out via text or email, and the messages may have a sense of urgency––perhaps stating that if you don’t pay the extra fee immediately, your package will be rerouted back to the original sender or held at a shipping facility. While the urgency can be alarming, take a moment to think things through and do not send additional payments.
Never Accept a Buyer’s Shipping Label
While the other tips have been for buyers, this tip is for sellers. If you’re selling an item on an online marketplace, such as eBay or Etsy, never accept a shipping label that a buyer sends you. A scammer may claim they’ve already paid the shipping, so you don’t have to worry about it, but this is a common scam. If you were to use the label sent to you by the buyer, they may provide an incorrect or fake shipping address. The buyer then monitors the tracking. When the tracking shows that it cannot be delivered, they call the shipping company and ask them to send the package to their correct address. The buyer then files a complaint about not receiving the item because it was rerouted. You then won’t be able to prove the item was delivered to the original recipient, and you’re on the hook for a refund. Plus, you’ve lost your item, too.
The Bottom Line
With shipping scams continuing to grow in prevalence, it’s important to remember consumer vigilance. While clicking or tapping on “checkout” makes purchasing goods easier than ever, it’s important to slow down and ensure you’ve conducted your due diligence in safeguarding yourself against scams. By recognizing the red flags above, you can ensure you receive your package without experiencing identity theft or financial loss.