USA Today reports that an email
going around claiming that a package on the way to your house cannot be
delivered may be a phishing scam that could install malware or ransomware onto
your computer.
One security company notes that
is has seen a significant increase in fake package email alerts in November.
Common subject lines include:
·
We could not deliver your parcel, #00556030
·
Please Confirm Your DHL Shipment
·
Problems with item delivery, n.000834069
·
Delivery Receipt | Confirm Awb no:XXX830169
·
Your order is ready to be delivered
·
Courier was unable to deliver the parcel,
ID00990381
·
Your DHL isher please
download attachment to view detail and confirmation of your address
USA Today points out that
phishing emails want you to trust it and then follow its instructions which are
usually to click on a link or open an attachment.
The emails may install malware
that allows your computer to be used by a botnet that spreads itself or be used
in a nefarious endeavor such as a distributed denial of service (DDOS) attack. It
could also install ransomware that locks up your files by encrypting them,
making them inaccessible to you until you pay a ransom for the key to unlock
them.
To avoid becoming a victim, take
the following steps for all your incoming email:
·
Carefully check for your full name, customer
number. Is it as a delivery company has it in your account information?
·
Are you expecting a delivery by this company? Does
the package delivery number match an actual delivery number that you are
expecting?
·
Check the email address from the sender. Is it a
legitimate address, or a fake address?
·
If there is a link to click on, hover your
cursor over it without clicking. This will show the address of the link. Does
the address match what you would expect? Will it really take you to a web site
that the email says it will?
Unfortunately, scammers try to
take advantage of the holidays and the buying frenzy during this time of year. Be
careful whenever you are looking at your email.
USA Today:
Federal Trade Commission:
UPS:
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