Do not respond: Text package scam makes rounds again

We’re all shopping online thanks to being stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic. So it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to get a text message about one of your packages and its delivery.

But a scam is making the rounds again that may look like there’s a problem with an order, but in reality, it’s only delivering your personal information into the hands of scammers.

The text messages may look real, even including your name, but they’re not, cyber experts told KGW.

The scam isn’t new. The Federal Trade Commission warned of similar scams in February.

Law enforcement agencies, such as the Scott County, Kentucky, Sheriff’s Office, are also posting warnings on social media, WTVQ reported.

They could also be variations on a theme, instead of packages, it could be a work-from-home “opportunity,” KGW reported.

So what should you do if you get one of the texts?

First, don’t click the link. If you do, you could at the least go to a fake site, but you could be opening your device to malware that could give access to the scammers to usernames and passwords, KGW reported.

Second, don’t reply to them, no matter how tired you are with getting the message. It will allow the scammers to know your number is a working number.

Finally, just delete the message, WTVQ reported.

So what should you do?

You should not answer texts from people you don’t know and block numbers on the scam emails, KGW reported.

Cox Media Group