TIPS: Don’t click on any links.
If you are remotely curious, then go to the true delivery service or merchant website to see if there’s really a package delivery needing your help. If you're asked to provide your PII or payment information, let that be a sign that something's not quite right.
📦 Missing Packages 📦
Porch Pirates are out in full force looking for package deliveries left on doorsteps and other obvious places.
They love driving around neighborhoods looking for unattended deliveries.
It’s free stuff for these grinch-pirates, but it’s a headache for you when you’re not at home.
Getting stolen merchandise replaced or refunded can take time you don’t have for the gift-giving season.
TIPS: Instruct deliveries to a side or back door when possible or send to a friend or neighbor you know will be home.
Home security cameras catch Porch Pirates in the act for law enforcement.
Package tracking using the legitimate delivery service website can help with delivery days and times to be on the lookout.
Use delivery options like Amazon’s Key or Hub Lockers or pick up the item from the merchant when possible.
🧾 Fake Order Notices 🧾
Emails arrive about a purchase you’ve made from a retailer or third-party payment like PayPal, to verify your order.
The purchase amount is enough to make you panic and you’ll want to resolve the matter quickly.
The email includes a link or phone number to dispute the order, and scammers know you’ll likely follow it.
The link can go to a spoofed website to steal your PII, or it will outright ask for your payment card and login information, so the scammer can go a shopping spree.
TIPS: Don’t follow links or provide sensitive information. Instead, go directly to the merchant’s true website and make inquiries from there.
Check your payment card for unauthorized charges. If there isn’t anything in either of those locations, it’s likely a scam.
Keep In Mind…
Sob-sters… Appeals for donations, including with GoFundMe, can be bogus. So if you’re giving this holiday season, stick with well-known or your favorite local charities…
Relatives needing fast financial help… Calls from a family member asking for a money wire to get out of jail, for instance, call a family member to confirm it’s legit.
Emails with similar scenarios, especially asking for money via gift cards, is the sign of a true scam…
