ST. LOUIS – As online shoppers enjoy the convenience of their packages being delivered to them, they must be wary of not only “porch pirates” but scam artists too.

The St. Louis Better Business Bureau says consumers are getting text messages stating their delivery carrier needs them to “update delivery preferences.” These message contain a link and are scams. The BBB says links result in the scam artist stealing personal information, money, or both from the consumer.

What You Need To Know

  • St. Louis Better Business Bureau says consumers are receiving phishing texts, emails, and calls

  • Don't click links provided as they are often scams seeking personal information or potentially installing malware to your computer 

  • Contact your delivery company or retailer if there's a "concern" about your package

  • Be wary of “porch pirates” who wait to swipe unattended delivered packages at your doorstep

These text messages aren’t the only form of delivery scams. Phishing emails pose as official notices from delivery companies. Often the emails contain a tracking link with a message stating the shipper is struggling to deliver the package, or a link is provide to update delivery preferences. If you click these nefarious links, it’ll take you to a form asking for personal information or to a webpage that downloads malware onto your computer.

Fake “missed delivery” tags may appear on your door, claiming the shipper is having challenges delivering a package to you. They’ll ask you call a phone number to reschedule your delivery but really it’s a way for them to request personal information.

A frequent delivery scam includes a text stating, “The USPS package has arrived at the warehouse and cannot be delivered due to incomplete address information. Please confirm your address in the link: [url] (Please reply to 1, then exit the SMS, open the SMS activation link again, or copy the link to a Safari browser and open it). The US Postal team wishes you a wonderful day."

As we previously reported, “porch pirates” wait for a package to be delivered and swipe the merchandise right from the customer’s doorstep. For more information on how to protect yourself from front door thievery, click here.

BBB has a few tips to avoid delivery scams:

  • Purchase shipping insurance for more expensive, valuable, and/or fragile items. Always get tracking information and check on them periodically
  • Don’t click on links. Go to your delivery carrier’s website directly or log in and use the retailer’s tracking tools
  • For delivery services that leave a “missed delivery” notice on your door and you receive one: examine it closely to make sure it is authentic before following instructions. If in doubt, look up the delivery company and contact them
  • Don’t leave packages on your doorstep. When ordering, if possible request a signature upon delivery
  • After you receive your delivery, look for signs of tampering and contact the seller immediately if something is wrong with the shipment.

For other scam concerns, visit BBB.org/AvoidScams

Please report to BBB.org/ScamTracker if you've been the victim of a delivery scam. Other may avoid the same fate with your report.