- What Kinds of Texts Does UPS Send?
- How to Spot a UPS Text Scam
- How to Protect Yourself Against a UPS Text Scam
- What to Do If You’ve Fallen for a UPS Text Scam
- Frequently Asked Questions
If you’ve ever gotten a text from UPS regarding an issue with a package out of the blue, you’re not alone. Scammers are posing as the shipping company to trick consumers into either giving out their personal information in order to steal their identity or get them to infect their device with malware. The messages in these fake UPS text scams can vary, but they always come with a sense of urgency in order to convince their targets to act quickly.
- Financial Fraud Protection
- Identity Theft Protection
- Family Protection & VPN
Learn how to spot a fraudulent UPS text, how to protect yourself against them, and what to do if you’ve fallen for one.
What Kinds of Texts Does UPS Send?
Like most shipping companies, UPS does send text message alerts to customers. However, the carrier states that it only sends mobile correspondence from 69877 for American and Canadian customers, not a seven-digit phone number.
UPS also never sends texts unprompted; you must sign-up for these alerts with UPS My Choice or through its tracking feature. To check if you’ve signed up, check your account at: https://www.ups.com/lasso/login.
It’s important to note that the company will also never ask you via text for personal information such as:
- Your account information
- Login credentials
- Your address
- Payment info
If you receive a text claiming to be UPS and are asked for any of the above, you have likely been targeted in a scam.
Common Reasons UPS Will Send SMS Texts
- To notify you about an upcoming delivery
- To update you on a package such as when it’s on the move or whether it has arrived/departed
- To notify you about issues with your package (changes to your delivery date, missed delivery attempts, delivery exceptions)
Does UPS Send Text Messages with Links?
Yes, at times, UPS does send out texts that include links, but the URL will always be recognizable and from ups.com. If there is any other address or if you click on the link and it takes you to a website other than ups.com, it’s likely a scam.
Here are a few ways to tell whether a link within a text from UPS is legitimate or not:
- If the link doesn’t start with “https://www.ups.com,” it’s not from the company.
- To preview the link on your mobile device, press and hold the link (don’t let go) and you’ll be able to see what the page is before it opens.
- On a laptop, hover your mouse over the link to see the full URL.
How to Spot a UPS Text Scam
Scammers use a variety of tricks to spoof real UPS texts. But some of the most common ones are:
Missed delivery: You'll be notified that you missed a delivery and need to click on a link to reschedule it.
Delivery date change: You'll be alerted of a change to a current delivery and will be asked to confirm the new date by clicking on a link.
Undelivered package: You may be sent a tracking number and a notice that a scheduled delivery could not be dropped off for a number of reasons. You may be asked to pick a new delivery address.
Red Flags of a UPS Text Scam
Many times, if you weren't already expecting a delivery or didn't send one, you may already know these are scam texts. However, if you did ship something recently, it may be harder to spot the signs of these scams.
Here are a few telltale signs that point to a UPS text scam:
- Spelling or grammatical errors
- Unexpected requests for money in return for delivery of a package
- Pushy or urgent requests (must act now!)
- Sent from a non-UPS phone number (69877)
- Misspelled or slightly altered website addresses (e.g., ups-ship.com, ups.delivery.com)
Stop! Don't Reply!
Never reply to a text message if you're unsure whether it is real or not. Scammers sometimes send out fake texts to test who replies in order to target you for a more advanced scam in the future.
Below are few examples of fake UPS texts
Example of a fake UPS text scamUPS. Hi [Name]. Your shipment requires a delivery fee. Proceed to pay now to avoid delivery delay, Visit: https://ups-express.click/?&trck=1ZEC7_L3g
Example of a fake UPS text scamWe have attempted to deliver your package UPS 016448296GB, but there is an unpaid customs charge. Follow the instructions here: 7ap.me/f6TAI
How to Protect Yourself Against a UPS Text Scam
To protect yourself from identity theft or infecting your device with malware from a fake UPS text, use the following tips:
- Login to your UPS My Choice account via its official website (https://www.ups.com) to verify whether you have a package waiting for you.
- Call UPS directly. You can contact customer service number at 800-742-5877.
- Keep in mind that you don’t want to use any phone number provided to you via the text.
- Don’t click on any links within the text.
- Check the tracking number. Type the supposed tracking code into UPS tracking system to see if it’s a legitimate number.
- Don’t copy/paste the code from your phone in case it’s a phishing link.
It's important to verify links and contact details to beat imposters.
What to Do If You’ve Fallen for a UPS Text Scam
If you feel you've accidentally fallen for a fraudulent UPS text, there are a few things you can do to ensure your information is safe and help others avoid this scam.
- Login to your UPS account and change your password immediately.
- Screenshot the text then block the phone number.
- Send a screenshot of the text to UPS at [email protected] and send all information regarding the incident.
- Forward the message to 7726 (SPAM).
- Report the incident to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
- Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Other Types of Scam Texts to Be Aware Of
Scammers are sending more and more scam text messages pretending to be from legitimate companies and banks:
- Amazon
- Amex
- Apple
- AT&T
- Capital One
- Chase
- Citibank
- Citizens Bank
- Fedex
- Navy Federal
- Netflix
- PayPal
- Truist
- UPS
- Venmo
- Verizon
- Walmart
- Wells Fargo
Don't click on links within these texts or call the phone number listed. You should always find the genuine number for the company on their official website.
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