As a retail and consumer expert with over a decade of experience, I‘ve seen firsthand how scammers are always looking for new ways to exploit trusted brands and manipulate unsuspecting victims. One company that‘s become an increasingly popular target for fraudsters is UPS, the world‘s largest package delivery service.
From fake job postings to phishing emails and phone scams, criminals are leveraging the UPS name to steal money and personal information from consumers and job seekers alike. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll take a deep dive into the world of UPS scams, examining the tactics scammers use, the red flags to watch out for, and the steps you can take to protect yourself and your sensitive data.
The Scope of the Problem
Just how prevalent are UPS scams? While exact figures can be hard to come by, the numbers paint a sobering picture. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) received over 3,000 complaints about UPS-related scams in 2020 alone, with victims losing an estimated $2.5 million.
| Year | Number of UPS Scam Complaints | Estimated Financial Losses |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2,200 | $1.8 million |
| 2019 | 2,800 | $2.2 million |
| 2020 | 3,100 | $2.5 million |
Source: Better Business Bureau
These scams disproportionately target certain demographics, with younger adults aged 18-34 and seniors over 65 being the most likely to fall victim. In fact, a recent AARP survey found that 74% of adults aged 18-34 had been targeted by a scam involving a delivery service like UPS.
Anatomy of a UPS Scam
So what exactly do these scams look like? While the specifics can vary, most UPS scams fall into one of a few common categories:
1. Employment Scams
One of the most insidious types of UPS scams targets job seekers with fake job postings and bogus employment offers. These can take many forms, such as:
- Work-from-home scams: Ads or emails promoting phony remote UPS jobs that require upfront payments for training or equipment
- Reshipping scams: "Jobs" that involve receiving and mailing packages, often containing stolen goods, under the guise of being a UPS "quality control agent" or similar title
- Fake job listings: Bogus UPS job postings on job search sites and social media designed to steal applicants‘ personal information
- Imposter recruiters: Scammers posing as UPS hiring managers who conduct fake interviews and then request payment for background checks or training materials
These employment scams prey on people‘s desire for flexible, well-paying work and their trust in the UPS brand. They often use high-pressure tactics and promise of quick cash to get victims to act before thinking.
2. Phishing Scams
Another common UPS scam involves phishing emails and text messages designed to trick recipients into giving up their personal information or downloading malware. These messages may claim to be about a missed delivery, a billing issue, or an account problem, and they often include a sense of urgency to spur the recipient into action.
Some red flags of a UPS phishing scam include:
- Generic greetings: Scammers often use impersonal openings like "Dear Customer" rather than your actual name
- Typos and grammatical mistakes: Many phishing messages contain obvious spelling and syntax errors
- Suspicious links and attachments: Links that don‘t go to the official ups.com domain or unexpected attachments can be signs of a scam
- Incorrect branding: Phishing messages may use outdated logos or designs that don‘t match UPS‘ current brand standards
- Requests for sensitive info: Real UPS communications will never ask for data like login credentials, Social Security numbers, or financial details over email
If you receive a message claiming to be from UPS that raises any of these red flags, do not click any links or download any attachments. Instead, forward it to [email protected] and then delete it.
3. Phone Scams
Scammers may also try to defraud victims over the phone by posing as UPS customer service agents or delivery personnel. In one common scenario, the caller claims that there‘s a problem with a package delivery and that they need to verify your personal information or collect a fee to resolve the issue.
These scammers often use caller ID spoofing to make it look like the call is coming from a real UPS number, making them harder to detect. They may also create a false sense of urgency by claiming that your package will be returned or destroyed if you don‘t act immediately.
Remember, real UPS employees will never call you unsolicited to ask for sensitive information like your Social Security number or credit card details. If you receive a suspicious call claiming to be from UPS, hang up and call the official UPS customer service line directly to inquire about your package.
4. Fake Websites and Tracking Numbers
Another way scammers exploit the UPS name is by creating fake websites that mimic the real ups.com site. These phony pages often claim to offer package tracking services, but in reality, they‘re just a way to phish for personal data or distribute malware.
Some signs that a UPS tracking website may be fake include:
- Suspicious URLs: The website‘s address doesn‘t start with "https://wwwapps.ups.com/" like the real UPS tracking page
- Asks for too much info: Legitimate tracking forms only require a tracking number, not personal details like your name or address
- Poor design and formatting: Many fake sites have obvious visual errors or outdated branding that doesn‘t match the real UPS website
If you need to track a UPS package, always start by going directly to ups.com and navigating to the tracking page from there. Don‘t trust tracking numbers or links sent to you via unsolicited emails or texts.
The Psychology of Scamming
So why do people continue to fall for these scams, even as public awareness grows? The answer has a lot to do with the psychological tactics scammers use to manipulate and deceive their victims.
One common technique is creating a false sense of authority by impersonating UPS employees or using official-looking logos and branding. This exploits our natural tendency to trust and comply with requests from people in positions of power.
Scammers also often try to create a sense of urgency or scarcity to pressure victims into acting quickly without thinking. They may claim that a job offer is time-sensitive, that a package needs to be claimed right away, or that an account problem needs to be resolved immediately. This takes advantage of our fear of missing out and can lead people to make rash decisions.
Another tactic scammers use is social proof, or the idea that if other people are doing something, it must be okay. They may include fake testimonials or reviews on their phony websites, or claim that many other people have already applied for a particular job opening. This plays on our natural desire to follow the crowd and fit in.
Finally, scammers often try to build trust and rapport with their victims by using friendly, familiar language and showing fake empathy for their situation. They may claim to be trying to help resolve a problem or to have the victim‘s best interests at heart. This can disarm people‘s natural suspicion and make them more likely to let their guard down.
By understanding these psychological tactics, we can all be better equipped to spot and resist scams when they appear.
Protecting Yourself from UPS Scams
So what can you do to avoid falling victim to a UPS scam? Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Be wary of unsolicited emails, texts, or calls claiming to be from UPS, especially if they contain urgent requests or threats
- Never click on links or download attachments from suspicious messages, even if they appear to be from UPS
- Don‘t trust caller ID – scammers can spoof phone numbers to make them look legitimate
- If a job offer or opportunity seems too good to be true, it probably is – do your research before applying or providing any personal information
- Go directly to ups.com to track packages or manage your account, rather than using links from unsolicited messages
- Keep your computer and devices updated with the latest security software to protect against malware and phishing attempts
- Use strong, unique passwords for your UPS account and enable two-factor authentication if available
- Educate yourself and your loved ones about the latest scam tactics and red flags to watch out for
If you do encounter a suspected UPS scam, be sure to report it to the proper authorities. You can file a complaint with the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint, and forward any phishing emails to [email protected]. By working together to identify and report scams, we can all help make it harder for fraudsters to operate.
The Bigger Picture
As a retail and consumer expert, I believe it‘s important to look at UPS scams not just as isolated incidents, but as part of a larger trend of criminals exploiting trusted brands and digital platforms.
In today‘s e-commerce-driven world, consumers are increasingly reliant on delivery services like UPS to receive packages and track orders. At the same time, more and more job seekers are turning to online job boards and social media to find employment opportunities. Scammers know this, and they‘re constantly adapting their tactics to take advantage of these shifts.
This is a problem that goes beyond just UPS. Scams involving other major brands like FedEx, DHL, and Amazon are also on the rise, as are phishing attempts that target online shoppers and remote workers more broadly.
The consequences of these scams can be severe, both for individual victims and for the brands being impersonated. Consumers who fall for a UPS scam may lose hundreds or even thousands of dollars, not to mention the time and stress of dealing with the aftermath. And for UPS, every scam that uses their name erodes a little bit of the trust and goodwill they‘ve built up with customers over decades.
That‘s why it‘s so important for companies like UPS to take a proactive approach to fighting scams. This can include measures like:
- Regularly monitoring for fake websites and social media accounts that misuse company branding
- Educating customers about common scam tactics and how to spot them
- Providing clear, easy-to-find resources for reporting suspected scams
- Working with law enforcement and other agencies to investigate and prosecute scammers
- Investing in new technologies like machine learning and AI to help detect and block scam attempts
As consumers, we have a role to play too. By staying informed about the latest scam trends, using caution when interacting with unsolicited messages, and reporting suspected fraud when we see it, we can all help make the online world a little bit safer.
Ultimately, the fight against UPS scams and other brand impersonation fraud is an ongoing one. As long as there are criminals looking to make a quick buck, there will be new schemes and tactics to watch out for. But by working together – consumers, brands, and law enforcement – we can stay one step ahead of the scammers and keep our personal information and hard-earned money safe.
The Bottom Line
UPS scams may be a growing problem, but that doesn‘t mean we have to live in fear of them. By learning to recognize the red flags of fraud, taking proactive steps to verify communications and protect our data, and speaking up when we see something suspicious, we can all help fight back against these insidious crimes.
As always, if you have any doubts about a message or encounter that seems to involve UPS, don‘t hesitate to reach out to the company directly using official contact methods. And if you do spot a scam, be sure to warn your friends and family so they can stay safe too.
Together, we can keep the scammers at bay and make sure that the only things UPS is delivering are our eagerly-awaited packages – not trouble.
Marques Thomas is a nationally recognized consumer protection expert and advocate with over a decade of experience in the retail and customer service industry. He is the founder and chief advisor of QuerySprout.com, a leading online resource for helping consumers stay safe and informed in an increasingly complex marketplace. Marques‘ insights have been featured in major media outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Consumer Reports.
