It seems like thieves and n’er-do-wells are always out there looking for the next best way to swindle you out of your hard earned cash…and that’s because they kind of are.
With all of the technology we use, their attempts are getting more diverse, more widespread, and harder to spot – even for the savvy among us. And given that many of us have more than one package en route to us on any given day (thanks, Amazon), this scam text acting like it’s a tracking update is pretty stinking clever.
The scam is described by online technology magazine ‘How-To-Geek’ as a SMS text being sent out that seem to be confirming shipping or delivery on a package, and asking you to click for more information.
Image Credit: Pixabay
They recommend that you do not open the message or click on any links, then block the sender and delete the message. Clicking the link will take you to a fake Amazon listing where you will be asked to take a customer service survey that offers you a free product at the end of it – as long as you hand over your credit card number to cover a small shipping and handling fee.
The fine print admits that by agreeing to pay the fee, you’re signing up for a 14-day trial, followed by a $98.95 monthly fee for a supply of scam products.
Image Credit: Pixabay
I assume that you’re not notified of the monthly charge in any way, so it could be a while before some people notice the recurring debit on their statement.
So be vigilant. Read everything with a squinted eye, as though there are people out there whose entire job it is to trick you into handing over your information.
Because there definitely are.
