4 Ways to Avoid Fake Shipping Fee Scams

I should get at least one email a week saying I have a delivery item waiting for me at the Post Office or some warehouse.

I never click on the link, which will take my financial information and charge me a fee. It’s a perennial scam these days, mostly targeting older Americans.

According to Cybercrime Support Networkthe way a shipping scam usually works is “the seller claims the product you purchased is ready to ship, but asks for an additional payment for shipping costs.”

Like many common scams, this one has morphed into several variations, including auction sites, failed delivery and even pet adoptions.

The “failed delivery” scam is the one I see most often: “You receive an email or message claiming to be from well-known courier servicestating that they tried to deliver a package to you, but you have to pay a re-delivery or customs clearance fee.”

How do you spot these scams?

• Beware of unsolicited messages offering you items for free if you just pay shipping.
• Watch out for a sense of urgency or pressure that will push you to make a quick decision without thinking it through. They may say the offer is only available for 24 hours or use language like “limited time offer”, “one time only”, etc.
• Be wary of sellers who provide little or no information about themselves or the items they are selling.
• Beware of sellers who ask for personal information under the guise of needing it for shipping or payment purposes.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, delivery scams have become increasingly sophisticated, so be on the lookout for “a text message with a ‘tracking code’ and a link to update your delivery preferences.” It’s a scam.”

Another sign that an email is a scam? “Hovering over the link in the email will not display the official website of the purported sender” — in many cases, the website of the US Postal Service.

Do you think you’ve been scammed? The Cybercrime Support Network suggests: “If you paid using gift cards or bank transfer, contact the issuer. They may be able to help you stop the transaction. If you have provided personal information, such as your social security number, you may be at risk of identity theft. Monitor your credit report and financial accounts for any unusual activity and consider freezing your credit. Report it to the FTC—even if you didn’t lose money—at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.”

For more tips, see the FTC articles on this phishing and malware. And if you have questions about a US Postal Service delivery, visit usps.com or call 1-800-ASK-USPS.