Scam Counteracted

Parcel delivery scams on the rise

Parcel delivery scams are increasingly being made as Christmas approaches

Scammers regularly pretend to be parcel delivery companies such as UPS or FedEx. With Christmas approaching, many emails are circulating and attempt to scam Internet users.

The modus operandi of these scams is simple. Scammers send emails or text messages pretending to be from parcel delivery companies. These messages inform recipients that they have a package awaiting delivery. The messages often include a link to a malicious website. Victims are then prompted to enter their credit card information to pay for the delivery charges.

However, this is actually an attempt to steal victims’ bank details. Once scammers have access to credit card information, they can use this data to make fraudulent purchases. They can even completely empty the victim’s bank account.

Companies like UPS or Fedex will never ask you to pay a fee to collect a parcel

It is important to note that companies like UPS or FedEx never ask the recipients to pay the delivery costs before receiving the package. If you receive an email or text message asking you to pay for delivery costs, it is very likely a scam.

Here are some tips to avoid falling victim to a delivery parcel scam:

Never click on a link in a suspicious email or text message. If you receive a message informing you of a package awaiting delivery, go directly to the shipping company website to check the status of your delivery.
Never share your credit card information or any other personal information with strangers. If you are asked to pay the delivery costs before receiving the package, it is most likely a scam.
Be vigilant when you receive e-mails or text messages from companies like UPS or Fedex. Fraudulent messages can often be identified by misspellings or bad grammar, as well as suspicious links. If you have any doubts, contact the companies directly to verify the authenticity of the message.

In conclusion, fake parcel delivery scams are increasingly common, and it is important to be vigilant to avoid them. If you receive an e-mail or a call, beware and never communicate your bank details.

PS5 and Xbox Series X order scam

The release of the PS5 and Xbox Series X video game consoles has generated many scam attempts

Sony’s PS5 and Microsoft’s Xbox Series X are finally out. But there have also been many scam attempts.

These consoles were eagerly awaited by video game fans, but the stocks available were clearly not up to the mark. Many people have been unsuccessful in getting their new consoles from regular merchants, either physical or online.

This has led some fans to search the internet for alternatives. Crooks have understood this and have created hundreds of scams around the PS5 or Xbox Series X.

Fraudulent sites promising the much sought-after consoles

Firstly, pre-orders on official sales sites quickly reached their thresholds. The crooks then created fraudulent sales sites, promising players to order the coveted consoles.

These scam sites could display the name of a completely unknown merchant or be a copy of a legitimate site, that copy being owned by crooks.

To recognize a fraudulent site, special attention should be paid to the following points:

The look of the website: Unlike long-established official websites, scam websites are often created for the occasion. We can note a lack of finish and professionalism in the presentation.
“Suspicious” selling points: To justify their stock while the PS5 and Xbox Series X are out of stock with all other merchants, fraudulent sites will advance dubious reasons. For example: We recovered a lot of unsold items from Amazon.
Selling prices below market prices: The PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles have just been released. No serious seller will sell them at a bargain price

For now, the best option is to be patient and wait until other PS5 or Xbox Series X consoles are available for sale from a recognized dealer.

In any case, the crooks play on the eagerness of the players to get a PS5 or an Xbox Series X. Sometimes unfortunately also on their gullibility.

Covid-19 scam : Fake tax refund email

A tax refund in compensation for confinement? Unfortunately this is a scam

Have you received an e-mail telling you that you are eligible for a tax refund? Put this email directly in the trash, it is phishing aimed at obtaining personal information such as bank details for example.

Scammers are taking advantage of both the Covid-19 pandemic and the tax reporting season to launch a new phishing campaign. They posed as a government service and sent many emails across the country. This email indicates that taxpayers are eligible for a tax refund. What a godsend in these difficult and uncertain times!

To benefit from it, the scammers then invite people to click on a link that redirects to another site. But this site imitates an official government page. Then, Internet users are invited to enter their bank details in order to benefit from the tax refund.

But this is a scam. Instead of receiving a tax refund, people who would have given their bank card number will see themselves deducting money unduly and probably with impunity.

How to identify those scams

Always be vigilant when you receive an unsolicited email, you are announcing surprising good news! To thwart these scam attempts, have the right reflexes:

An email that begins with “dear client / client” instead of using your last name is a bad sign
Spelling mistakes or questionable sentences are unacceptable
The website address should be familiar. Pay attention to details, and you will probably see that this is an imitation of an official government site.

However, if you have entered your banking information on the fake website, immediately block your credit card. This will avoid any future direct debits.