What's Happening?
The Better Business Bureau has issued a warning about a prevalent text scam involving fake package delivery messages purportedly from FedEx. These messages claim that a package could not be delivered and instruct recipients to click on a link to reschedule delivery. The link leads to a fraudulent website designed to steal personal information, demand fees, or install malware on the victim's device. This type of scam is part of a broader trend of text message fraud, which has seen a significant increase in recent years. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing $470 million to text scams in 2024, a five-fold increase since 2020.
Why It's Important?
The rise in text message scams poses a significant threat to consumer security and privacy. These scams exploit the high open rates of text messages, which can reach up to 98%, making them an effective tool for fraudsters. The financial and personal data losses from such scams can be substantial, affecting individuals' credit and financial stability. The Better Business Bureau and the FTC emphasize the importance of consumer vigilance and provide guidelines to avoid falling victim to these scams, such as not clicking on unexpected links and reporting suspicious messages.
