FedEx warns people about new text message scam using company’s name

FedEx is warning its customers about a new text-based scam that has been using the company’s name to obtain personal information from phone users.

In the past week, a number of people have taken to Twitter with screenshots of messages sent to their phones disguised as package notifications from FedEx. The messages, which sometimes address users by their names, ask them to set their delivery preferences and include a tracking code. 

So earlier today I got same text but I was like wtf I didn’t order anything 1st thing I did was go to fedex and copy and paste the code and it said there is no package I was like yea scam but be safe 🙂 pic.twitter.com/nuWI87sfy0

— B (@babbydiabla) January 21, 2020

@FedEx @3onyourside @AColeman_WREG3 @AThompson_WREG3 on the news at 4:30 about the scam texts & emails. They said to report it, then delete it. I got one the other day, but clicked on it. Is my personal info an risk? pic.twitter.com/t9FHqvAV1j

— Tina Carreon (@tlc_1212) January 22, 2020

Dude this the second time I get this scam text telling me about my @FedEx package that I never ordered.

If u all get somethin like this do not click the link. U can set up a link to get your location. Stay safe peeps pic.twitter.com/mCJUgUsat4

— Rigo (@Tlatoani_7) January 20, 2020

The texts also feature a link to a site that takes the user to a fake Amazon site and asks them to complete a survey, according to photos obtained by How to Geek. After completing the survey, users are then reportedly directed to a page that allows them to claim a gift as a free reward, but, in exchange, they are asked to submit their address and credit or debit card information.

In a statement provided to CNN on Thursday, FedEx warned its customers to delete and refrain from opening “suspicious text messages or emails.”

“Any suspicious text messages or emails should be deleted without being opened, and reported to abuse@fedex.com,” the company said, adding, “While there is no foolproof method to prevent the FedEx name from being used in a scam, we are constantly monitoring for such activity and work cooperatively with law enforcement.”

The company also warned its Twitter followers to watch out for suspicious messages that may be using the company’s name and linked to its webpage detailing warning signs for similar scams. 

On the page, the company warns its customers to keep an eye out for “spelling and grammatical errors or excessive use of capitalization and exclamation points” and “links to misspelled or slightly altered website addresses (fedx.com, fed-ex.com, etc.) among other red flags.

Law enforcement in Duxbury, Mass., also warned citizens of the SMS phishing, or “smishing,” scam earlier this week on Twitter.

SCAM There is a new scam where you get a text with your name from Fedex (or another delivery service)and a tracking number. Do not click on the link. When in doubt about a tracking number go to the main website of the shipping company and search the tracking number yourself pic.twitter.com/EoG1C07OLf

— Duxbury Police (@Duxbury_Police) January 21, 2020