Hey Taylor - Last week I got a text saying a package couldn’t be delivered and I needed to click a link to “confirm my address.” I almost did it before realizing I’d ordered so many things lately that I honestly couldn’t remember if it might be real. With the holiday shopping season starting, how do I avoid getting tricked without ignoring a legitimate delivery update? - Nicole
Hey Nicole - You’re asking the right question at the right time. Fake shipping and order messages tend to show up more often when people are buying more online, and they can be hard to spot because we’re all expecting packages. A few habits may help you stay a step ahead. Every situation is different, so think of these as ideas to consider rather than guarantees.
Pause before you click anything in an unexpected message. Scammers often rely on urgency, such as “act now or your package will be returned.” Instead of tapping a link or calling a number in the message, it may be safer to go straight to the retailer’s official app or website, or type in the tracking number you were given at checkout, to see whether there’s really an update waiting.
Keep a simple list of what you’ve ordered. A note on your phone with the store, item and expected delivery window could make it easier to tell when a message doesn’t match anything you bought. It might also help you notice if a charge shows up later for something you don’t recognize.
Put a few safeguards in place before the busy weeks. Turning on transaction alerts in your banking or card app, using strong and unique passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication where it’s offered may make it harder for someone to cause trouble. It could also be worth glancing through your recent statements this week to make sure everything looks familiar.
If you do receive a message that looks suspicious, you may want to delete it without responding, and reporting it through the FTC’s website is one option some people choose. If you already clicked or shared information, your card issuer or bank’s fraud line may be a helpful place to start. Staying a little skeptical now could help keep the season a lot more joyful later. Thanks for the question!
