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FedEx In Depth
Sections on this page
- Types of Scams Targeting FedEx Customers
- Red Flags of FedEx Scams
- How to Beat FedEx Scams
- Protection for FedEx Customers
If it seems like you see the name FedEx everywhere, it’s because that about covers the company’s general territory.
Federal Express is one of the world’s major shipping companies, delivering, on average, a staggering 6.6 million packages every day in 2021 alone. That includes packages sent out in more than 220 countries and territories around the world.
It’s hard to imagine a humble beginning for such a behemoth company, but like most businesses, FedEx got its start at a local scale. Founded by Frederick Smith in 1971, the company originally operated out of Little Rock, Arkansas, with a focus on urgent deliveries.
Today, that empire has ballooned to include FedEx Office, specializing in office supplies and features like printing and copying, as well as FedEx Freight, FedEx Ground, and FedEx Supply Chain, a subsidiary dedicated to helping other companies implement more efficient logistical plans. The company is also a major and frequent contractor for the United States government.
Still, one unfortunate addition to the FedEx family is the number of FedEx scams concocted over the years.
Types of Scams Targeting FedEx Customers
When it comes to vulnerability to scams, FedEx checks a few major boxes:
- The company is known and trusted around the world, allowing scammers to trade on its good reputation.
- The business of package delivery naturally involves the exchange of the type of sensitive details scammers love to get their hands on.
As such, most FedEx delivery scams will look like messages from FedEx itself.
FedEx Scam Email/FedEx Scam Text
The most common type of FedEx scam works by mimicking FedEx directly.
FedEx scam emails and FedEx scam texts look like they’re sent from the company. The message can vary, but it will typically mention that something’s wrong with your order or expected delivery.
FedEx scam emails and FedEx scam texts will ask you to “verify” certain sensitive information, like your credit card number, or they may ask you to click a link—which could download malware on your device or steal any information you enter—to fix the “problem.”
FedEx Payroll/Check Cashing Scam
In a FedEx check cashing scam, the company is used to make the scammer seem more legitimate. You’re sent a check or money order through the delivery service—supposedly for anything, from “winning sweepstakes,” to cover costs for participating in what’s actually a fraudulent business.
Unlike FedEx, these checks are never legitimate. They bounce and leave you holding the bag.
“Work From Home” FedEx Delivery Scam
Scammers take advantage of unfortunate situations almost as much as they take advantage of well-known companies and brands.
With unemployment numbers high, FedEx “work from home” scams have become more frequent. Advertisements tout high wages for minimum hours, supposedly working at home on behalf of FedEx. You’ll then be directed to a “New Hire Form,” where you’ll be asked for any number of personal details a scammer can use.
Sadly, once you submit the form, the job offer disappears.
Red Flags of FedEx Scams
In the wake of the global pandemic, with unemployment still high and more people ordering packages than ever, scammers have been having a particular field day with FedEx scams.
Still, there are some signs to look out for to ensure you don’t fall prey to these hurtful schemes, including:
- Unexpected requests for money in return for the delivery of a package
- Any requests for personal details, like your password, PIN code, or bank account information
- Messages with poor grammar, poor or missing punctuation, or strange turns of phrase
- Any claims of winning large amounts of money, especially if unexpected
- Unsolicited job offers, or work from home jobs with elaborate payment schemes
- Incorrect design details, such as:
- Colors
- Shape and size of the logo
- Text shape and font
- A sense of urgency. The message will convince you to act fast
- Lack of a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) on any sensitive documents
- Slightly misspelled domain names or email addresses
- Anything official comes from FedEx.com.
FedEx will NEVER:
- Contact you via email, text, or unsolicited mail
- Ask for payment or personal information in return for a package in transit or in FedEx custody
If you notice these or any other signs that things are slightly “off,” proceed with caution.
How to Beat FedEx Scams
The best way to beat a FedEx scam is to not participate at all, but you can also help yourself by taking some extra precautionary steps, such as:
- Never clicking on a link. Instead, type in FedEx.com and proceed to log in from there.
- You can also hover your mouse over a link to see where it will take you without clicking.
- Never giving away personal information. This includes your:
- Full name/mother’s maiden name.
- Date or place of birth.
- Credit card or bank account numbers.
- PINs or passwords.
- Login information.
- Never depositing checks from someone you don’t know.
And, in general, it’s good to listen to your gut. If something seems too good to be true, it almost always is.
Protection for FedEx Customers
Unfortunately, FedEx doesn’t offer too much in the way of direct protection against any scams involving the company.
If you receive a FedEx scam email, FedEx scam text, or any other type of fraudulent message involving the company, you can contact the FedEx fraud team at [email protected]
It's important to verify links and contact details to beat imposters.
Otherwise, the best way to protect yourself is to remain as vigilant as possible. Keep the above tips in mind when dealing with FedEx or any other major company, especially via email or text.
If you believe you’ve been the victim of a FedEx scam, you can also:
- Report the incident to:
- Your bank and credit card companies.
- The Federal Trade Commission.
- Freeze any credit cards or debit cards involved.
- Change all of your passwords.
- Keep a close eye on your financial accounts and activity.
- Contact your local authorities.
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