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There’s a text message scam making the rounds that could target your mail room staff, receptionist, or other employees. The FTC has tips on how you can protect your business.

FTC text message scam warningOur Consumer Blog describes a text message people are receiving that claims to be a FedEx tracking notice. In variations on the scheme, fraudsters also are falsely invoking the names of UPS and the U.S. Postal Service. According to the text, there’s a “delivery” that needs to be scheduled by clicking on a link. From there, people are taken to an “Amazon” page, which invites them to complete a customer satisfaction survey. Then they’re told they’ve won a free prize. Just input a credit number to cover shipping and handling.

But as the blog post explains:

The text isn’t from a delivery service.
There is no package.
That isn’t a real Amazon page.
That’s not a customer survey.
And there’s no free prize.

It’s another scam designed to get people to turn over their account information – or your company credit card number. The Consumer Blog also introduces a new article, How to Recognize and Report Spam Text Messages, to share with your staff.

By the way, in addition to subscribing to FTC Business Blog Alerts, you can sign up for FTC Consumer Alerts to stay in the know about what you, your family, and friends can do to protect yourselves from the latest scams.

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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

Guest
February 21, 2020
What should I do if I have received these kind of messages?
Elizabeth Miller
July 27, 2020

In reply to by Guest

The scam is still circulating. In the last couple of weeks I’ve received texts that name UPS, amazon and DM transport with a link stating that they’re attempting to make a delivery and I wasn’t home. The texts / phone numbers have all come from a 657 area code.
Christine Dye
August 29, 2020

In reply to by Elizabeth Miller

I am getting these texts everyday. Of course I’m home because we can’t go anywhere due to the virus. I wish I knew how to make them stop but when I block them they just use a different number
Dean D
September 15, 2020

In reply to by Christine Dye

I'm also getting these daily from all different phone numbers. I block them and they keep coming. I bought a spam blocker and it can't stop them either because they keep changing the number they are coming from.
Patricia
December 16, 2020

In reply to by Christine Dye

I went to .donotcall.gov/ from each of my devices and my spam has gone down significantly. From 15 a day to 0 - 2 a day.
Sonia Cuthrell
February 27, 2021

In reply to by Christine Dye

Some phones allow you to block specific phrases in your messaging settings.
Maureen
April 29, 2021

In reply to by Sonia Cuthrell

The problem with these types of messages and calls is that you can block them but each time they call they change the number slightly No way to permanently block them
Ellen
July 14, 2021

In reply to by Christine Dye

Same with me I have gotten over 20 now The number comes up .message can't down load I block them the just change numbers
Boxerbud
July 31, 2021

In reply to by Christine Dye

I get the same thing every day . I block them and they still keep coming. I wish i knew how to block them .
Elizabeth Miller
September 18, 2020

In reply to by Elizabeth Miller

Wierd I'm Elizabeth Miller as well have been getting texts.... Voicemail: Parcel Sorting Center: Found package addressed to Elizabeth. Last pick-up day - Friday! n4scn.ifo/Ig8rMBe DW
Renae
September 18, 2020

In reply to by Elizabeth Miller

Voicemail: Parcel Sorting Center: Found package addressed to Renae. Last pick-up day - Friday! p2smv.info/62G3DQ8wSk I keep getting these saying similar things. I deleted them and do not follow the link... This one is from 1+(347) 260-4574
Michael gutierrez
September 23, 2020

In reply to by Elizabeth Miller

Tenika, final notification about your USPS package 4S15S3 from 05/21/2020. Go to: sb2n.info/ayBNIWwIn5 This is the one I got.
Edward Chu
September 27, 2020

In reply to by Michael gutierrez

Folake, final notice regarding the USPS shipment 8H35K8 from 08/21/2020 Click sq2m.info/9FdQgt1Lpp This the one I got today
Derrick
September 29, 2020

In reply to by Edward Chu

Mahmood, important alert for your USPS package 8S37K8 from 07/10/2020. Go to: ta1x.info/9bmDU1vU9h
Bradford McFonalf
September 25, 2020

In reply to by Elizabeth Miller

Text 925/2020 @ 7:17am grom (216)293-1001 Voicemail: Parcel Sorting Center: Found package addressed to Bradford. Last pick-up day - Monday! rn1g.info/75EkCepJuh
Denise
September 04, 2020

In reply to by Guest

I've received MANY of these texts in the last few days and it's getting annoying. (657) 203-4202 is the number. Ugh!
Loy
October 01, 2020

In reply to by Guest

Not today, Satan. This is the message I received today from (718) 925-1885: “Jose, final notification regarding the USPS package 2J62H9 from 05/27/2020. Go to: a4nrv.info/YCdfXPpWWb”
Not_Today_Scammer
October 01, 2020

In reply to by Loy

From: +16463288390 Text: Sonido Imperial, final notification for the USPS shipment 4I5A3 from 05/15/2020. Click: a1mp.info/nbvW9672RD
Guest
October 06, 2020

In reply to by Not_Today_Scammer

I got this text today from 347-224-0628 F1_jun_gender Hi Janice, I'm Kyle from FedEx. You have an item addressed to you. Can you please collect it by today? mu11f. com/Hpg2R090N6
M.Walsh-Thorn
October 07, 2020

In reply to by Guest

Rec'd two today from 332-214-8555. One said FedEx, other said UPS.
Judi S
October 15, 2020

In reply to by Guest

This scam is still going strong. I'm not expecting anything so I had a feeling it was a scam. Thankfully the first hit in my Google search was the FTC's page!!! This is what I got from the scammers. From phone number 347-205-2046 Voicemail: Parcel Sorting Center: Found package addressed to Judi. Last pick-up-day- TODAY! by6x.info/lwrBdF6ooA
Saeed
October 17, 2020

In reply to by Guest

Your package returned to our warehouse Saeed! Please inform us when you want us to return: yourpackage.info/hIXryxoS5V
Cathye
January 02, 2021

In reply to by Guest

This is an exame of another phishing scam I recently got: Thank you for being a loyal customer and paying your last months bill on time during these hard times, you deserve this hmkly.me/T3sVpvpQPT DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK WHEN YOU GET MESSAGES LIKE THIS! The number the text was supposedly sent from was: 1 469 596 8026.
Katherine Sackett
January 13, 2021

In reply to by Cathye

I have been getting a TON of texts from the 469 area code. I tried blocking the #’s, but they keep changing and I can’t keep up. It’s making me insane. Isn’t there anything that can be done?
Jason shupe
March 21, 2021

In reply to by Katherine Sackett

Katherine you are able to go into your settings and just block all calls coming from 469 area code.
Marilyn
November 10, 2021

In reply to by Jason shupe

Has anyone ever received a notice with a different person's name? Like I ordered for someone else and it was unsuccessful. I never ordered anything for that person or even know who they are. Followed by an 888 area code. To call for information
Daniel Finholm
April 05, 2021

In reply to by Guest

I've been constantly receiving these text messages. I have no packages coming. Seems like fraud USPS: the arranged delivery for the shipment 1z17331 has been changed. Please confirm here: w6fvc.info/x7HlpDpiHO
Cee
April 10, 2021

In reply to by Daniel Finholm

Just got this for the first time ever from a 518 area code. I have a feeling it's related to the FB data leak.
cody
April 16, 2021

In reply to by Cee

I got that one too. The code it gave me was basically the same too
LG
April 06, 2021

In reply to by Guest

I just received a text message from 657-296-5113 regarding a package delivery from USPS. This is the second one in two days. Getting sick of the interruptions!
Karolyn Varner
April 19, 2021

In reply to by Guest

Here's mine from today USPS: the arranged delivery for the package 1z65548 has been changed. Please confirm here: x6fzs .info/ QDRs9xCQwi
Guest
April 19, 2021

In reply to by Karolyn Varner

I received the same one and 5 minutes later my husband received the same one on his cell phone but from a different number and package number.
Dan R
August 31, 2021

In reply to by Guest

All suspicious texts should be reported to the FTC through the FTC text reporting “ 7726”. First report the body of the message. Then it will ask for the senders cell number. Then block the sender and delete the message.
MaryAnn
December 09, 2021

In reply to by Guest

I just receive a text message that says "Voicemail: Parcel Sorting Center found a package addressed to you. Final pickup day: Friday! opesh.info/ r7OHOD7io6" with phone number from California 628.233.8636. I called the number and it said the number isn't accepting calls, and I'm not about to click on the link. As I have numerous packages being delivered all the time, how do I assure this is a scam, as I believe it is?
sari Fernando
February 21, 2020
Pinellas County, Clearwater, FL That happened to me I received that same message in my e-mail, I new I did not order anything so I just deleted the email. Remember no gives you something for nothing if your did not request it or order it or has to do with your age, credit card, and, social security, and your email DON'T DO IT. I received a If you want to UNSUBSCRIBE put your e-mail here. That's how my e-mail wound up on the BLACK WEB. You see if your subscribed to anything; they would already have your e-mail.
Guest
February 22, 2020
Ive been overwhelmed with lots of these fake you win but you nerve get the free prize. They're doing walmart gift cards now. I got the point i delete instead of filing anything out. What's up with this new scam calling say someone stolen your social security number and using it fraudulent and if you don't respond your going jail . This world is getting sicker by the day. Its bad enough am deal with fraud for profits and property..by a lender for ten yea= and no relief in sight.
Cynthia B
July 11, 2020

In reply to by Guest

I’m getting these texts multiple times a week. Crazy. Wish so knew how they got my contact #. Just deleting them.
AFrank
August 28, 2020

In reply to by Heidi C.

What happens if you click the link? I clicked the link but then felt uneasy so I did not complete the form and got off the page.
AL
September 04, 2020

In reply to by Guest

It is September 2020 this is still going on. It has been 3 weeks so far I get messages almost every day.
User in Goodyear AZ
September 09, 2020

In reply to by AL

Just happened to my partner. They used the USPS - if it isn't a .gov website, BEEE SUSPICIOUS!
Pierce county wa
September 13, 2020

In reply to by User in Goodyear AZ

I just got a text saying " Jesus, your package had an issue while in transport, and you need to verify with this link for USPS". I have never met anyone by that name, so right away knew it was a scam. The number it sent from was (347)224-0519 and is in new York
Maria
September 17, 2020

In reply to by Pierce county wa

I've been getting texts from a 332 area code regarding a "found package" at a parcel sorting center. Some say that the package was from July, others don't say that. Although I block the telephone number each time, the telephone number changes every time I get a new text. The area code, however, has been 332. I haven't clicked on the link because I know it has to be a scam, but they are annoying.
Cathy Handzel
September 18, 2020

In reply to by Pierce county wa

Just received another package delivery text, "Voicemail: Parcel sorting Center: Found package addressed to Cathy. Last pick-up-day-Friday!" with a link to click p2 smv .info/62 G3D Q1RYO and it the number is came from was 1-216-816-4161. I blocked this one also, been getting these all week.
Chris
September 21, 2020

In reply to by User in Goodyear AZ

USPS is not a .Gov url. Its USPS.com so be careful. U dont know them don't open.
mookie
September 18, 2020

In reply to by tiffany

I received a similar text regarding a package to be picked up by tomorrow at the post office. The number was (216)868-1043. I just deleted it.

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