Even if you are not ordering gift online, you could fall victim to a scam that makes it look like a delivery service could not deliver a gift someone sent you, according to the Connecticut Better Business Bureau.
At this time of year, criminals go into high gear, phishing for personal information and money with fake "Missed Delivery" notices, according to the Better Business Bureau.
"It is not unusual to receive a parcel with a gift you bought or sent by someone else," Connecticut Better Bureau spokesman Howard Schwartz said in a statement. "As a result, someone might not have any reason to doubt that an email or phone call, supposedly from a delivery company, is fake."
People targeted in the scam might be told that a truck driver was unable to deliver a package and that you must click on a link to set up another delivery date. Or, you might be prompted to open and print out an attachment to complete the delivery process.
In either case, the links and attachments will likely unleash a virus or other malware that can track your logins and passwords online or corrupt your computer files.
Delivery companies and the U.S. Postal Service won’t send a missed delivery or similar notice by email. Instead, a driver who is unable to complete the deliver will leave a tag on your door about scheduling another delivery date or arranging to pick the package up at the delivery depot.
Package thefts are also common this year, with thieves traveling neighborhoods to look for packages on doorsteps or in lobbies of apartment or condo complexes.
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Criminals follow delivery and postal trucks so they will know where they can steal parcels. When the truck leaves, the crooks move in and grab the parcels.
To protect yourself:
Ignore calls to action over the phone and in email - Remember that delivery companies will never initiate contact by email or phone if you are not home to accept a parcel or envelope. Ignore emails that encourage you to click a link or open an attachment to reschedule your delivery. Instead, look for a missed delivery tag on your door. Another sign of a fraudulent email is poor grammar and spelling.
To prevent package theft, arrange to have gifts you bought delivered to a neighbor, trusted friend or your workplace.
When you place an order, hold onto the tracking number. It will tell you when the parcel was shipped to give you an idea of where it is along the route, and when it might arrive.
Antivirus and anti-malware protection is only effective if you update the software and scan your computer weekly.
Aside from malware, computers can be stolen or crash and destroy your hard drive. Use a storage drive to back up your files in case of a catastrophic breakdown.
