Online shopping has become an integral part of our lives. We see a lot of delivery vehicles daily and every other day someone orders something online. But with convenience comes risk—and scammers are taking full advantage. One of the most common forms of digital fraud making the rounds is courier impersonation scams, also known as delivery scam.
Courier scams involve fraudsters posing as legitimate delivery services like Delhivery, Blue Dart, Professional Couriers, DTDC, or even your local postal service. Their goal? To trick you into handing over personal information, make a payment, or access to your device.
🚚 What Is a Courier Scam?
In Courier Scam, fraudsters reach out to unsuspecting individuals claiming there’s a missed delivery. They ask for personal details and payment for courier or Cash on Delivery charges, warning that the package will otherwise be returned. Believing it might be something a family member ordered or an important document, you share the details and make the payment. In the end, no package arrives—or at best, an empty one does—while your money and personal information are stolen.
These scams often come in the form of:
- Text messages saying you missed a delivery
- Emails asking for a small fee to reschedule or release a package
- Phone calls warning of delivery issues
- Fake tracking links or suspicious-looking courier websites
At first glance, these messages may seem harmless—even routine. But click on that link, and you might land on a phishing site designed to steal your information or install malware.
💸 How the Scam Works
- Initial Bait: You receive a message claiming a package couldn’t be delivered.
- Urgency Trigger: You’re told action is needed immediately—pay a small fee or risk return to sender.
- Fake Link: You’re directed to a website that looks like the real courier but is a clever fake.
- Information Grab: You enter your name, address, credit card, or even Social Security number.
- Outcome: You could be a victim of identity theft, fraud, or malware infection.
🔍 Common Red Flags
- The message is unsolicited or unexpected.
- Generic greetings like “Dear Customer.”
- Slight spelling errors or odd domain names (e.g., ups-supports.com instead of ups.com).
- Requests for small fees —low enough to lure you in without suspicion.
- Fake tracking numbers or strange file attachments.
🛡️ How to Stay Safe
- Verify before clicking: Go directly to the courier’s official website or app.
- Don’t enter personal info via links from texts or emails.
- Enable two-factor authentication on financial accounts.
- Report suspicious messages to your local authorities or cybercrime unit.
- Warn friends and family, especially elderly relatives who may be less familiar with phishing tactics.
- Report in ScamYodha to prevent others from being scammed.
📢 Final Thought
Scammers are evolving. They’re no longer just sending Nigerian prince emails—they’re mimicking real companies you trust and interact with. As more of us rely on home delivery, the more attractive a target we become.
So the next time you get that unexpected “delivery” message, take a breath, double-check the source, and remember: If it feels off, it probably is.
