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AG warns of emailed package delivery scams

Posted at 7:11 PM, Dec 02, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-02 20:56:05-05

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Attorney General’s office has a warning about package delivery scams lurking in your email inbox.

The emails look legitimate, and often say there was a problem delivering your package or that you “missed a delivery.”

The emails typically appear to be from FedEx, UPS, or the United States Postal Services.

“Most of them are click baits, and they’re trying to get into your device,” said Michelle Mayer, director of outreach services for the Indiana Attorney General’s office.

Once they get into your device, the scammers can install malware or spyware, and access your personal information.

“"If you're on your home computer they may get into your device and look for old tax files, or get into your address book and start sending fraudulent emails to all your friends telling them you're in Mexico and you've been mugged and you need to send money,” said Mayer. “It never ends."

The AG’s office recommends contacting the store directly if you have a question about your package, or go directly to their website, rather than clicking through an email.

“For example, if you've purchased something on Amazon, go to Amazon.com, look through your order history and then you can use tracking information to find out exactly when that package is going to arrive," said Mayer.

If you do get an email you’re not sure about, do not open it on your phone.

“Wait until you get home and look at the email,” said Mayer. “Use your mouse to hover over that link. Hover over it for 2-3 seconds. Be careful not to click on it, but a little box will come and show you where they're taking you."

If you hover over the link in the email, it is likely a scam if it doesn’t show the official website of the supposed sender.

If you’re looking for a good Christmas present, ask for a removable hard drive.

That way you can store tax files and other sensitive information away from your computer, so that if it is infected, the scammers won’t be able to access your most personal information.

FedEx and UPS have also issued their own warnings as well about emails that appear to come from their companies.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, here are some ways to spot a bogus email:

  • It tells you to click on a link or download an attachment
  • It urges you to take immediate action
  • It asks you to “re-confirm” personal or financial information