UPS Text Scams to Watch Out For & How to Prevent Them

According to a report by the Federal Trade Commission, it stated that fake package deliveries were the leading text message scams back in 2022. Many text message scammers would impersonate postal services, including UPS, among others. They induced fake links attached to websites, making them appear as legitimate sources, but they weren’t. Such is the case of UPS text scams. In this guide, we’ll talk about what UPS Text Scams are, how to identify them, what to do if you’re a victim, and ways to prevent these attacks in the future. 

What are UPS Text Scams?

A UPS text scam is a ploy that scammers use to impersonate or imitate the delivery service via text messages. In this attack, they can easily curate deceptive texts that target most people who’ve used the UPS delivery service. You wouldn’t be able to tell the difference in authenticity if you’re unaware of scams like these. 

They get people to click on the links via text message or get them to respond to those texts with sensitive information like payment details. Right now, the most common kind of UPS text scam is when you get a text message saying that you’re delivery date has been missed and that you’d need to reschedule it. 

It isn’t only directed to people who’ve ordered things; it targets people who haven’t as well. The scammer waits patiently and hopes you click on that link or respond to the text. 

5 UPS Text Scams to Watch Out For

There are around 5 different UPS Scam Texts to be aware of, starting with the most common one: 

1. Fake UPS Package Delivery Notifications

The most commonly induced UPS text scam is a text from the hacker. They state that you’ve missed your delivery date and that you need to reapply for it from a link that they provide. Of course, it comes at a cost to reschedule. So, regardless if you’ve ordered anything, the message makes you believe that you did or are supposed to receive a package from a friend or family member. Here’s a source from Reddit showing you what the fake UPS package delivery text looks like: 

2. Fake UPS Customer Service

Second on the list of the most common UPS text scams is fake or fraudulent customer service. Here, they provide you with fake website links, email IDs, or texts that lead you to click on them. Through them, they can steal your information and even get you to make payments. Here is what a fake UPS customer service text looks like: 

3. UPS Scam Notifications Claiming that You Owe a Fee

This UPS Scam sends you a text message claiming that you owe the service a fee for a delivery that was already dispatched. The text’s tone screams urgency and mild threats, which is why many people fall for it. However, you need to know that all payments should be made via the official UPS channels. You wouldn’t get a text message to respond to directly. Here’s a source from UPS showing you what this attack looks like: 

4. UPS Scam Texts that Lead You to Phishing Sites

This type of UPS scam generates fraudulent Phishing site links that imitate the legitimate service. It’s created in the hopes of sending you to a compromised site that steals your information. Of course, for the target to actually fall for the scam, the website needs to be created convincingly. Here’s a source from Reddit showing you what a UPS text scam phishing attempt looks like:

5. UPS Scam Texts that Inject Malware on Your Device

Sometimes, a UPS text scam does not only involve asking you for fake payments but urges you to click on links that install malware or viruses on your device. Once installed, this type of malware can take over your device, compromising all the data and privacy on your system. Here’s a source from UPS showing you what a UPS Malware scam message looks like: 

How to Identify a UPS Text Scam

Here are some ways for you to identify what a UPS text scam looks like: 

• Fake Tracking Numbers

If these text messages give you a tracking number you can use, don’t just click on it. The best thing to do is to check whether you’ve actually received an email or text with the right tracking number. You can head to UPS.com/track to cross-check it.

• Extra Sense of Urgency

No long-time operating delivery services force or have a sense of urgency in how they deal with clients or customers. If you ever get a message where the hacker urgently asks you to click on a link or make a payment, take it as a warning sign. 

• Asks for More Fees to Receive Your UPS package

Yes, you need to be able to pay to send or receive packages. However, all official payments are only processed via UPS.com. Any payment requests apart from this are scams.

• Messages with Links

UPS does not usually send text messages out of the blue until and unless you have a delivery from them. Also, if you didn’t subscribe to their message updates, simply don’t click on that link. 

• You Never Ordered Anything or Expected a Delivery

If you didn’t expect a delivery, nor got a text or call from someone who was sending you a package, don’t acknowledge the message. You will eventually get confirmation from a proper source. 

• Spelling and Grammatical Errors

Proper delivery services never misspell words, especially if they’re all automated texts. Check to see for these signs. For example, the word Delivery Service is spelled as Deliveryservice. 

• Unidentifiable Phone Numbers

Every text communication number from UPS starts with MYUPS (69877). However, the code changes if you’re in another country. Always crosscheck the UPS SMS numbers from here.

• Links Sent from Sources Other Than UPS.com

Check to see that the links from hackers aren’t from anything other than UPS.com. If they are, then the chances of it being a scam are high.

How Do You Prevent UPS Text Scam Attacks?

Delivery scam texts are always at an all-time peak. These types of scams do not only occur from UPS but other delivery channels like FedEx, the US Postal Service, etc. To prevent these scams from taking place, here are a few precautionary measures that you can take: 

1. Use Security Software

Extra security measures on your device are better than having none. This way, if you’re redirected to malicious websites via UPS scam texts, malware or viruses can be prevented or deleted through them. iProVPN helps secure your device and data, preventing money and data theft. 

2. Track Incoming or Ongoing Deliveries on UPS.com

In case you did order a package or need to get one sent via UPS, make sure you note the tracking order ID from UPS.com itself. This eliminates any confusion that might be caused. Always track your packages here to avoid being scammed. 

3. Report the Scam

If ever you do happen to receive a UPS scam text, be quick to report it. You can either take a screenshot of the message and send it to [email protected] or contact government agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Better Business Bureau (BBB.) 

4. Deal with Questions or Queries Directly from the UPS Website or Support

Before jumping the gun and clicking on any links that you might receive via UPS scammer texts, contact UPS customer support via 1-800-742-5877 or head to its online support center. 

5. Enable 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) on Your UPS Account

Using or keeping the 2FA enabled on your UPS account is crucial. This way, even if any scammer or hacker gets to your account password, they won’t be able to sign in without a verification code. These codes are sent to your mobile phone. 

6. Check Your Bank or Credit Card Statements

Any kind of scam is usually done to target your financial details. Always check your account statements to ensure that no money is missing from your account after you’ve clicked on links or responded to scam texts. 

7. Request Signature Dropoffs

If you are expecting a package from UPS, please make sure you ask for a signature delivery.  Your package would then actually reach your home and is not misplaced. In this way, you wouldn’t have to pay extra fees or get scammed into paying more. 

UPS Text Scam Victim? Here’s What You Should Do Next

If you’ve already fallen prey to a UPS scam, there are some measures you can take to prevent the issue from arising. Here’s what: 

• Stop any further conversation that you might have with the scammer. Do not give them any more details. 
• Check to see if nothing is missing from your accounts. If yes, contact the bank, asking them to freeze your assets until you notify them. 
• Contact the UPS support team and tell them about the issue so that they can take further measures. 
• Get in touch with official governing agencies that prevent online fraud and theft. 
• Get tighter security. For instance, apart from using security software like a VPN or antivirus, consider changing your password, updating security, and going for 2FA. 

FAQs – UPS Text Scams

 

Conclusion

You now know what UPS Text Scams are and ways to detect and prevent them. Of course, scams like these are always ongoing and, at most times, are right under our noses. The best thing to do is that if ever you receive texts like these that you’re not sure about, just don’t be hasty to respond to them. Always contact the official websites, secure your devices and data with software, and monitor any weird activity. 

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