Important Safety Alert: 2 Holiday Scams to Watch Out For This Week
It is officially the holiday season! While we are busy buying gifts and planning family dinners, scammers are busy too.
We want our community to stay safe. Please read about these two specific tricks happening right now, so you can spot them immediately.
The "Delivery Problem" Text Message
With so many of us ordering gifts online, scammers are sending out fake text messages that look like they are from FedEx, UPS, or the Post Office.
What it says: Usually, the text claims your package cannot be delivered due to an "incomplete address" or an "unpaid fee." It asks you to click a link to fix it.
What to do:
Do not click the link.
Do not reply.
If you are worried about a package, find the tracking number in your email and go directly to the shipping company’s official website. Never trust the link in the text.
It is officially the holiday season! While we are busy buying gifts and planning family dinners, scammers are busy too.
We want our community to stay safe. Please read about these two specific tricks happening right now, so you can spot them immediately.
The "Delivery Problem" Text Message
With so many of us ordering gifts online, scammers are sending out fake text messages that look like they are from FedEx, UPS, or the Post Office.
What it says:
Usually, the text claims your package cannot be delivered due to an "incomplete address" or an "unpaid fee." It asks you to click a link to fix it.
What to do:
Do not click the link.
Do not reply.
If you are worried about a package, find the tracking number in your email and go directly to the shipping company’s official website. Never trust the link in the text.
2. The "Grandchild" Voice Call
This is a newer and scarier trick. Scammers are now using new computer technology (AI) to mimic voices. They can make a phone call sound exactly like a grandchild or family member in distress.
What happens:
You might get a call that sounds just like your relative saying, "Grandma/Grandpa, I'm in trouble and I need money."
What to do:
Hang up immediately. It feels rude, but it is necessary.
Call that family member back using the phone number you have saved in your address book.
99% of the time, you will find they are safe at home and did not make that call.
The Bottom Line: Technology is wonderful, but it requires us to be a little more careful. If something feels urgent or frightening, take a deep breath and pause. Scammers want you to rush. Safety happens when you slow down.
Please share this with your friends and have a safe, happy holiday!