TIPS: Don’t click on any links.
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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.
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📦 Missing Packages 📦
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Porch Pirates are out in full force looking for package deliveries left on doorsteps and other obvious places.
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They love driving around neighborhoods looking for unattended deliveries.
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It’s free stuff for these grinch-pirates, but it’s a headache for you when you’re not at home.
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Getting stolen merchandise replaced or refunded can take time you don’t have for the gift-giving season.
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TIPS: Instruct deliveries to a side or back door when possible or send to a friend or neighbor you know will be home.
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Home security cameras catch Porch Pirates in the act for law enforcement.
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Package tracking using the legitimate delivery service website can help with delivery days and times to be on the lookout.
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Use delivery options like Amazon’s Key or Hub Lockers or pick up the item from the merchant when possible.
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🧾 Fake Order Notices 🧾
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Emails arrive about a purchase you’ve made from a retailer or third-party payment like PayPal, to verify your order.
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The purchase amount is enough to make you panic and you’ll want to resolve the matter quickly.
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The email includes a link or phone number to dispute the order, and scammers know you’ll likely follow it.
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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.
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TIPS: Don’t follow links or provide sensitive information. Instead, go directly to the merchant’s true website and make inquiries from there.
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Check your payment card for unauthorized charges. If there isn’t anything in either of those locations, it’s likely a scam.
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Keep In Mind…
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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…
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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.
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Emails with similar scenarios, especially asking for money via gift cards, is the sign of a true scam…
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