📦 Scams Disguised as “Package Delivery Alerts”
Scammers love to create urgency—and nothing hooks people faster than “Your package could not be delivered.” These fake alerts often appear as texts or emails claiming:
Missed delivery attempts
Suspicious charges for something you didn’t order
Requests to “verify your address” or “update shipping info”
Links to fake UPS/FedEx/USPS tracking sites
Even savvy shoppers get caught because these messages look incredibly real.
🚩 Red Flags to Watch For
Unexpected messages about packages you didn’t order
Typos or strange grammar
Links that don’t match official delivery sites
Sender phone numbers or emails that look off (“[email protected]”)
Urgent language (e.g., “ACTION REQUIRED IN 24 HOURS!”)
🔧 What To Do Instead
Scammers are counting on you to click before you think. A few seconds to pause can translate to a world of protection.
Safe and Secure
Know Thyself – Check your actual order history.
Don’t Click the Links – Go directly to the store or delivery company’s official website.
Report & Delete – Delete any messages that seem off. Report emails as spam to help save others from falling for a scam.
Help Others – You can report suspicious text messages by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM).
🏠 Protecting Your Actual Deliveries
Digital scams are not the only threat. Physical package theft spikes every holiday season. A few simple changes can keep gifts out of the wrong hands.
🎁 Smart Delivery Strategies
✅ Have packages sent to your workplace.
(Just make sure your employer is okay with it!)
✅ Use a trusted neighbor.
Great for small items or when you know you’ll be out of town.
✅ Hide packages from view.
Porch pirates grab what they can see—behind a planter or porch column keeps things discreet.
Keep your package deliveries safe
📬 Special Note About Signature Deliveries
If you’re expecting a delivery that requires a signature, communicate ahead:
Tell family members so someone is prepared to answer the door
Track the delivery directly through the retailer or carrier
Be cautious of unexpected “signature required” knock-and-run attempts
(Scammers use this trick to verify if someone is home.)
Legitimate delivery drivers don’t pressure you, threaten fees, or ask for personal info. If something feels off, trust your instincts.
👵 Stay Secure While You Shop
🎄✨The holiday season should be joyful, not stressful. A little security awareness can go a long way in keeping your information and your gifts safe.
Please consider sharing this newsletter with family and friends. Let’s keep your holiday season scam-free and full of cheer!
🦄 Who is Suecurity?
Susan Richards aka Sue-curity
🌉 Background: Over 30 years in information technology with a passion for keeping people and data secure.
👑 Achievement: Hosts a weekly HITRUST Secrets discussion and nerds out about security topics.
☕ Quirk: An American patriot through and through, she still enjoys Irish breakfast tea in the mornings!
🎆 The Good News
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them - John 14:21.
Be safe,
Sense of Security
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