All You Need To Know About The UPS Text Scam

Posted on: Mar 26, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

All You Need To Know About The UPS Text Scam

The scammers usually send a fake UPS text message posing to be from UPS, and the message usually talks about their package delivery details. Customers receive this message, and the scammer tries to trick them into spilling their personal information. These scammers want personal information to infect devices with malware or even steal identities. The UPS text scam involves receiving messages that come with a sense of urgency to convince people to act quickly. It is essential to learn how you can spot this fake UPS text message and what to do if you've fallen prey to it. The messages you receive would generally talk about how your package is waiting to be delivered. You must note that these unauthorised text messages are not associated with UPS and are fraudulent communications.

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What Kinds of Texts Does UPS Send?

Most shipping companies send messages to their customers to inform them of their delivery information, and UPS is no different. However, UPS only sends text messages to its Canadian and American customers through a single number that is 69877. It states that it never uses a seven-digit phone number to send information to its customers. You should know that you will never receive any message from UPS without signing up for alerts. You can do so in two ways: either through tracking or UPS My Choice. UPS never asks you for your personal information like payment information, address, login credentials, or account information through texts. It is easy to spot a scammer if you ever receive an SMS asking for any of the aforementioned information.

How to Spot a UPS Text Scam?

You can spot a UPS text scam in three ways. The first involves a text message which would say that you have missed your delivery. It would ask you to click on a link which would enable you to reschedule your delivery. Scammers use many tricks to make a fool out of people, and it is essential to know how to spot a fake UPS text message.

The second way to spot a fake text message from UPS is when you get a text message that mentions a tracking number with a notice telling you how your package was not delivered due to various reasons and that you must fill in a new address for delivery.

The third way to spot a fake UPS text message is when you receive a text message with a link that asks you to confirm your new delivery date because of a change in the current delivery date.

While it can be easy to spot a fake text message when you haven't ordered anything, it can be pretty tricky to spot when you have.

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How to Protect Yourself Against a UPS Text Scam?

A fake UPS text message asks for your personal information and might also sometimes ask for payment before you receive the package in advance. It might also ask for an account update by obtaining the target's personal information. The links in these messages might direct the target to a fraudulent website. UPS representatives provide you with a tracking number, which is available for verification on the official UPS website. You must note that UPS might contact you from time to time in their marketing efforts. However, you should always verify the number from which you receive communications.

You can follow these steps to save yourself against a UPS text scam:

1. The first step is to log in to the UPS My Choice account through UPS's official website and verify if you have any pending packages.

2. You can directly call UPS and verify if there is any pending package. Their number is 800-742-5877.

Ensure you don't call any number that you have received through text and never click on any links, as they might contain viruses.

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What to Do If You've Fallen for a UPS Text Scam?

You can do these things to ensure your data and information are safe if you feel you have become a victim of this scam:

• Log into your UPS account and immediately change your password.

• Block the number and take a screenshot of the fake text message.

• UPS has an email for such situations and encourages you to send the screenshot to them at fraud@ups.com with all the relevant information.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why would you receive delivery texts from UPS?

The message is fraudulent if you are not expecting a delivery. Scammers send fake text messages posing to be from UPS to obtain your details. However, you might receive text messages from UPS if you have subscribed to alerts and if the number is not seven-digit and is from 69877.

2. Can UPS ask me for personal information via text messages?

UPS never asks you for personal information over texts. The text message is fraudulent if you ever receive it.

Conclusion

Technology can sometimes be a double-edged sword. While it has its benefits, it can also have its downsides. Scammers use text messages now and dupe innocent people. While some people know they are being scammed, many do not. This is an earnest attempt to let you know everything you need to know about the fake UPS text message scam. Hope you now know more and are better equipped to tackle such a situation if it ever arises. Until next time!

Disclaimer The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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