Augusta, g.A. (WFXG) - GETTING A PACKAGE ALERT NOTIFICATION MIGHT SEEM PRETTY STANDARD. BUT, IT COULD BE A HOAX.  

PICTURE THIS, YOU GET A TEXT MESSAGE FROM WHAT APPEARS TO BE A DELIVERY DRIVER LOOKING FOR YOUR HOME. THEY SAY SOMETHING LIKE THIS: “HEY, MY NAME IS TONY. I WORK FOR FEDEX AND I’M TRYING TO FIND YOUR HOUSE. PLEASE CALL ME.”

PACKAGE DELIVERY SCAMMERS ARE ONE OF THE TACTICS SCAMMERS ARE USING TO TRICK SHOPPERS INTO GIVING THEIR PERSONAL INFORMATION OUT. IF YOU CALL, THE SCAMMER WILL ASK YOU TO CONFIRM YOUR NAME, ADDRESS OR THE CREDIT CARD NUMBER THAT YOU ORDERED THE PACKAGE WITH. INFORMATION THAT KEVIN WADE, CEO OF INTELLISTEMS SAYS THEY REALLY DON’T NEED. “YOU MAY NOT REMEMBER ORDERING A PACKAGE," says wade. "THEY WILL TRY TO CONVINCE YOU THAT THIS IS A GIFT AND I’M PROBABLY SPOILING THE SURPRISE. BUT, IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DELIVERED TO YOU.”

ACCORDING TO BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, THE CALLERS WILL BE PROFESSIONAL. BUSY AND UNSUSPECTING SHOPPERS WON’T EVEN QUESTION that WHAT SOUNDS LIKE A DELIVERY DRIVER IS REALLY A CRIMINAL.

A TEXT OR EMAIL MIGHT PROMPT YOU TO RESCHEDULE OR A PAY SMALL DELIVERY FEE. IN EITHER CASE, THE PACKAGE NEVER EXISTED AND YOU’RE NOW AT RISK FOR IDENTITY THEFT. BUT DO NOT WORRY, WADE SAYS AVOIDING THIS IS SIMPLE.

“KEEP TRACK OF YOUR DELIVERIES, KNOW WHAT YOU ORDERED AND WHAT YOU ARE EXPECTING TO RECEIVE AND KNOW YOUR COMPANIES DELIVERY POLICIES," says Wade." "ARE THEY JUST WILLING TO LEAVE IT ON YOUR PORCH AND SAY THAT NO ONE WAS AVAILABLE TO SIGN. IF THAT’S THE CASE, JUST KNOW THOSE POLICIES.”

Lastly, NEVER GIVE SENSITIVE INFORMATION OUT OVER THE PHONE. YOU CAN CALL THE COMPANY YOURSELF OR VISIT FEDEX OR THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE’S WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THE INQUIRY IS LEGITIMATE OR NOT.

Copyright 2022 WFXG. All rights reserved.