FedEx is a very popular shipping company, but sadly, scammers have seen an opportunity to take advantage of their trustworthy brand. In the last year, many people have reported receiving suspicious phone calls and messages supposedly from FedEx. The scammers pretend to be from FedEx to trick people into giving away their details or money.
These scams are becoming increasingly common as crooks improve at impersonating companies like FedEx. Recently, many cases have been reported in Bengaluru, India, of fraudsters calling people and claiming to be from FedEx’s “customer service.” The scammers tell lies to make the victim worried about a package or problem with their account.
This article will help explain the most common FedEx scams out there right now. By learning to recognize these scammers’ red flags and tricks, you can avoid becoming a victim of their deception. We’ll look at the different tactics they use and steps you can take to protect yourself from falling for their fake messages and calls. Knowledge is power, so read on to arm yourself against these scams.
Top FedEx Scam #1: The Fake Delivery Notification Call/Email
One of the most common FedEx scams is the fake delivery notification call or email. In this scam, scammers pretend to be from FedEx and say there was a problem delivering a package to you. They tell you something went wrong like the address was wrong.
The scammer will then ask you to do something to help “fix” the problem. Sometimes, they ask for personal details like your name, address, and phone number. Other times, they want money, saying you need to pay fees before they can deliver the package. They make the problem seem very urgent to trick you.
But it’s all a lie! FedEx will never ask for money or personal details over the phone. And they won’t ask you to click links in emails, as the scammers do. The emails also need to be corrected, such as spelling errors in the company name.
This tweet from December 2023 shows a real example of someone falling prey to a FedEx scam:
“Dear @FedExHelp @FedEx, there is a scam being perpetrated in your name by this number in India. The caller informs you that you have sent a ‘contraband parcel’ to Taiwan and, therefore, it cannot be delivered, and to avoid fines or action, you have to pay some money. Please take appropriate action.” - @ShefVaidya"
Some red flags to watch for are phone calls or emails about packages when you didn’t order anything. Also, be careful if they ask for payments by gift card instead of your payment on file. Never give info to random callers claiming to be from big companies.
If you think a contact is real, call FedEx to check before providing any details. Don’t become a victim - hang up or delete suspicious emails immediately.
Top FedEx Scam #2: The Fake Package Inspection Scam
In this scam, people receive calls claiming a package sent to them was intercepted at an airport. The scammer says the package had illegal items like drugs and was linked to the person’s ID number. The scammer tries to scare people by saying police will arrest them for smuggling. They pretend to be from FedEx or the police.
The scammer says people must pay a big fine to avoid legal problems. They want the money transferred right away. Scammers want people to feel rushed and worried, so they don’t think clearly. Anyone can be targeted, even if they didn’t send anything.
A Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of an IT firm in Bengaluru lost Rs 2.3 crore to scammers posing as staff working for Fedex and police officials, a Times of India report said. Read more here.
The best thing is to hang up if you need more clarification. FedEx or police will never ask for money over the phone. Never share private details like ID numbers or bank accounts with unknown callers. Stay calm and don’t pay fines, as it’s just a trick to steal money.
Top FedEx Scam #3: Work-from-Home Scam Variations
In this scam, people see ads online for work-from-home jobs with FedEx. They are told that they will receive packages to inspect for damage as part of the job. Scammers send packages to victims using stolen FedEx accounts.
Victims are asked to inspect items and send them to different addresses using prepaid shipping labels. But the items are often stolen goods that scammers sell online. Without realizing it, victims are helping criminals by shipping these goods.
People never get paid for the work and can face legal charges if caught sending stolen items. To avoid this, don’t accept jobs from unknown groups that involve receiving packages to reship or handle money transfers. Only work with very large, well-known companies directly. Be cautious of any work or packages from strangers that seem unusual.
What to do if you’ve been scammed
Here are the main steps to take if you’ve been scammed:
Stop all contact with the scammer right away.
Gather any information or proof of the scam, like emails, texts, or call records.
File a report with the police. You can call the police emergency number or visit the cyber crime police station.
Alert your bank as soon as possible if any money is stolen.
Place a fraud alert on your credit reports to protect your accounts and identity.
Change all your passwords for email, banking apps, and any accounts the scammer could access.
You can also report the scam to organizations like the FBI Internet Crime Center on their website.
Warn your friends and family about the scam so no one else gets tricked by the scammers.
Taking quick action right after a scam can help catch the criminals and protect you better. Staying alert is the best way not to become a target.
Protecting Yourself from FedEx Scams
Here are some tips to protect yourself from FedEx scams:
Check packages only on FedEx’s official website. Never click links from calls or texts.
Do not share personal details like address, ID proof, or bank details with strangers.
Be careful of callers saying there are legal issues or asking for money transfers.
Verify any urgent requests by calling FedEx directly from their website.
Report scam calls to local police. Warn others so no one gets fooled.
Remember, companies will never ask you to pay fines or fees over the phone.
Trust your instincts. If a call sounds odd, hang up and report it. Stay alert!
Conclusion
FedEx scams are becoming more common as criminals get craftier. We must stay ahead by learning scam signs and protecting our data. Please share this information widely so no one gets tricked. Always check packages on the official site and be wary of unexpected calls asking for money or info. Staying alert is the best defense against delivery scams.
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