Fake parcel scams are a type of fraud in which scammers send fake messages, emails or phone calls pretending to be a legitimate delivery company or postal service, informing the recipient that they have a package waiting for them, and asking them to pay a fee or provide personal information to retrieve it. The scammer may claim that the package is being held due to unpaid customs fees, taxes, or a missing delivery address, and may provide a link to a fake website or ask for payment through untraceable methods such as gift cards or wire transfers.
These scams are becoming increasingly common, especially during holiday seasons or periods of high online shopping activity. To avoid falling victim to a fake parcel scam, it is important to be vigilant and to follow these tips:
Be wary of unexpected or unsolicited messages claiming to be from a delivery company or postal service. Verify the authenticity of the message by checking the sender’s email address or phone number, or by calling the delivery company directly using a phone number from a trusted source, such as their official website.
Few modus operandi of fake courier scams :
- Scammers will send a message or email notifying the recipient that they have a delivery pending and ask them to click on a link or download an attachment to track the package. The link or attachment often contains malware that can compromise the victim’s device and steal personal information.
- Scammers may contact the victim and claim that a package is being held at customs or requires additional clearance fees to be paid before it can be delivered. They may ask the victim to pay the fees using untraceable methods such as gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
- Scammers may use phishing tactics to obtain personal information or login credentials from the victim. They may create fake websites or login pages that look like the legitimate courier company website and ask the victim to enter their personal or financial information.
- Some scammers directly call the victims and inform them they have found drugs and weapons seized by a courier that were supposed to be delivered to them. If the victim claims he has been accused of false allegations, the scammers then ask for bank or income tax-related information, etc., to validate their claims. Victims mostly share the one-time password (OTP) and, in some cases, allow the fraudsters to take control of their mobile phones by downloading screen sharing apps, with an anxiety to get them cleared from unwanted arrests.
- Another pattern by scammers is they approach the neighbours of the customers who are their target and ask for them to call the person and ask for OTP, there by stealing money with the help if OTP.
To avoid falling victim to these scams, it is important to be vigilant and verify the authenticity of any messages or emails claiming to be from parcel or other delivery companies. Courier companies will never ask for personal or financial information via email or text message, and they will not request payment using untraceable methods.
Here are some tips to avoid falling for fake parcel or courier scams :
- Beware of unsolicited messages: Scammers often send unsolicited emails, text messages, or social media messages claiming to be from courier companies or another delivery company. If you receive a message that you were not expecting, especially one asking you to provide personal or financial information, be cautious.
- Verify the source: Check the sender’s email address or phone number. Scammers often use fake or modified email addresses that resemble the real ones. You can also call courier companies directly to confirm the status of your package and verify any suspicious messages.
- Don’t click on links or download attachments: Scammers may include links to fake websites or attachments that contain malware. Don’t click on any links or download any attachments unless you are sure that they are legitimate.
- Courier companies will never ask you to provide personal or financial information via email or text message. If a message requests this information, it is likely a scam.
- If you receive a message claiming that you have a package waiting for you, check the tracking number to ensure that it is real. Courier companies provide tracking information on their websites and through their apps.
- If you are making a purchase online, use a secure payment method like UPI or a credit card. Never send money via wire transfer or gift cards, as these are often untraceable and cannot be recovered if lost to a scam.
- Make sure to open the delivery package before paying the money and confirming the delivery.
- Try to pay online using verified platforms to avoid scanning the QR codes on payment on delivery.
If you are a victim of cybercrime, call on toll free number 1930 , Citizen Financial Fraud Management Systems or register a complaint at https://www.cybercrime.gov.in
