KPTV - FOX 12Beware of holiday shipping email scams

By Elaine Zimmermann

Jackie: I received an email from UPS about a delivery problem with a package. It asked me to download a label. Is this some sort of scam?

Elaine: Unfortunately, yes. You should delete the email without opening it and do not download the attached file.

This time of year, fake package delivery emails are more prevalent than at any other time of the year. The subject lines of these bogus emails usually say something like "UPS package delivery problem, UPS 34898239-a." The senders also use DHL, FedEx and the USPS with the same message.

These scammers count on the fact that although normally only a small percentage of the recipients of the emails may be expecting packages, around the holidays with so many purchases and gifts ordered from the Internet, many people who usually do not receive packages may assume that the delivery problem notice is for a gift. They unsuspectingly open the emails and the attachments.

In the past, scammers only had to use the name of a legitimate company to perpetrate their fraudulent schemes. Now scammers use legitimate-looking websites and emails with company logos to commit fraud.

These fraudulent emails usually have one or all of three characteristics that differentiate them from legitimate correspondence: urgent reply needed, unusual request or closed response to communication.

Alarming messages that require immediate action such as "Your account will be suspended," "Your parcel or prize will be returned" or any other tactic which compels you to open a fraudulent email or attachment is from a scammer, not a shipper. The emails can contain a Trojan horse that can invade your computer system and steal personal information including credit card and social security numbers or account passwords.

An unusual request in an email that may alert you to criminal intentions is a request for financial information, funds or personal information in exchange for the delivery of a package. According to FedEx, "FedEx does not request, via unsolicited mail or e-mail, payment or personal information in return for goods in transit or in FedEx custody."

Closed response to communication in an email is another "red flag" of illicit activities. This may manifest itself as a lack of alternative methods of replying to the email except for the avenue prescribed by the sender -- which usually requires opening an attachment imbedded with code to steal data from your computer. No 800 customer service number is provided. No email support is offered to answer questions. This combined with "urgent action needed" snares busy people into falling prey to these criminal schemes with a click of a mouse.

The problem is so pervasive that major shippers address it on their websites. According to UPS, "We regularly monitor the Internet for the unauthorized use of the UPS brand to protect our customers. Please note that some fraudulent websites may have the look and feel of a legitimate UPS website. If you believe that a company is using the UPS brand inappropriately, we want to hear about it."

Elaine Zimmermann is a personal finance expert who was written about everyday ways to save money on cars, homes, vacations and more. For information on investing in foreclosed real estate you can visit her website at www.AskElaineZ.com.