Number 4 of the Scams of Christmas: Sly Shipping

Dear Customer,
Your parcel arrived on December 17.
Courier was unable to deliver the parcel to you.
To receive your parcel, print this label and go to the nearest office.

During the holidays, “phishing” emails like this can catch many off guard. This scam is used by crooks pretending to be virtually every package delivery service: FedEx, UPS, DHL, and the USPS. Apparently, consumers are becoming more savvy about these email scams, however, which is forcing some shipping scammers to resort to a more personal approach, i.e., the good old telephone. The Postal Inspection Service uncovered a telemarketing scam in which fraudsters masqueraded as USPS employees while actually phoning residents and requesting birth dates and Social Security numbers as requirements for package delivery. (hat tip: NBC Chicago)

What’s odd is that people fall for this last scam at all. For one thing, have you ever tried to call your local post office? Good luck. And judging by how often new carriers deliver other people’s mail to our house, how in the world could I ever expect them to find my phone number?

But when speaking of miraculous holiday mail deliveries, we must never forget the classics…

And that brings us all the way to No. 3 of the 12 Scams of Christmas, Season's Breachings.

Leading image via NY Daily News and Carlo Allegri for Reuters.


Terry Ambrose writes the McKenna mystery series set in Hawaii. They're filled with snark, scams, and trouble in paradise.

Comments

  1. Jeorge H Waters

    Plenty of problems can occur with shipping. But I think that sometimes it’s because of senders’ mistakes. I mean, every so often people forget about postal codes or just misspell them. On this link you can easily find a postcode of any address you need.

    • Terry Ambrose

      Hey Jeorge, you’re right about postal codes. They can delay mail — I recently transposed numbers on one and an attentive postal worker caught my mistake!

  2. Ava

    I think sometimes it is due to the mistakes of the senders. I mean, every time people forget about postal codes or just misinterpret them. The Postal Inspection Service uncovered a telemarketing scandal in which fraudsters took over as USPS employees while actually calling residents and giving birth dates and social security numbers as per package delivery requirements.

  3. oncasinosite

    I have been exploring for a little for any high quality articles or weblog posts on this sort of space .
    Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this website.
    Reading this info So i am satisfied to convey that I have a very excellent uncanny feeling I came upon just what I needed.
    I such a lot indisputably will make certain to don?t overlook this site and provides it a
    look regularly.

  4. casinositehomecom

    Greetings! Very useful advice within this article!
    It is the little changes which will make the most important changes.
    Many thanks for sharing!

  5. toto365pro

    This is really interesting, You are a very professional blogger.
    I’ve joined your rss feed and stay up for looking for more
    of your fantastic post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks

  6. sportstototop

    Pretty portion of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to claim
    that I acquire actually loved account your blog posts.
    Anyway I’ll be subscribing in your augment and even I fulfillment you get admission to consistently fast.

  7. GOSTOPSITE33

    This is a great post I seen because of offer it. It is truly what I needed to see seek in future you will proceed after sharing such a magnificent post.

  8. TOTOSITEWEB33

    Thank you. I authentically greeting your way for writing an article. I safe as a majority loved it to my bookmark website sheet list and will checking rear quite than later.

  9. GUIDE1903

    Thanks for the informative and helpful post, obviously in your blog everything is good..

  10. TOTOSAFEDB33

    This post is disseminating valuable information to people who are most concerned of the following issues being targeted by this site. Many certainly will keep coming back to check out updated posts.

  11. 온라인카지노

    I usually prefer to read the top quality content material and also this factor I discovered in your soul submit. Thanks for sharing.

  12. How to Choose B2B Web Design Agency

    How to Choose B2B Web Design Agency?

  13. Buy Twitter Followers

    Famups is voted the best site to Buy Twitter Followers by the likes of Men’s Journal, Atlanta Mag, Washington CityPaper, Mercury News

  14. Digital Marketing Consultant For Wholesale Florist- New Bloom Solutions

  15. Ranunculus Flowers Wholesale

    Ranunculus Flowers Wholesale- Paradise Flowers NYC

  16. 메이저사이트

    Your writing is truly impressive! Your blog post was both well-crafted and persuasive, and your ideas were truly innovative.
    Your blog post was a real masterpiece of writing! Your writing was both insightful and engaging, and your ideas were truly thought-provoking.

  17. Flowers Supply In South Florida

    Flowers Supply In South Florida- Berkeley Florist Supply

  18. Wholesale Greenery Suppliers Miami

    Wholesale Greenery Suppliers Miami- U.S. Greens Corp

Comments are closed.