Beware the Pending Package Scam

Everyone loves a surprise package, and scammers are taking the excitement out of that experience by using bogus packages as a cover for a nefarious scam that tricks victims into sharing their personal information — and their money.

Here’s all you need to know about the pending package text scam:

How the scam plays out

In the circulating package delivery scam, the victim receives a text message from a contact who is an alleged mail carrier, or someone representing a package-delivery service. The contact tells the victim they were unable to deliver a package to the victim’s home. The message might claim the package is a gift from a friend or relative and may be worded professionally, making the scam difficult to spot.

The victim is asked to reply to the message to confirm their identity; however, as soon as they engage with the scammer, they will be asked to share their personal information or credit card details to schedule delivery. This, of course, places the victim at risk for identity theft.

In other variations of the scam, the victim is contacted by email or phone. In each scenario, the scam plays out in a similar manner, with the victim convinced there’s a package waiting for them, and willingly sharing sensitive data with a criminal.

Some scammers take the ruse a step further by sending the victim a text message or an email containing an embedded link. The victim is instructed to click on the “tracking link” to track the package or change their delivery preferences. Unfortunately, clicking on the link will download malware into the victim’s device. Alternatively, the link connects the victim to a form asking for their personal information, which the victim often shares willingly.

Red flags

There are two primary red flags that can serve to warn you about the pending package scam.

First, the original text, email or phone call, will generally not inform the victim of the identity of the company they represent. The scammer will only claim to be an employee of a mail or package delivery service, but will not verify if they work for UPS, FedEx or another legitimate organization.

Second, the scammers don’t always check if the victim actually has a package in transit. They’ll either assume the victim has recently ordered something online or they’ll claim a friend or family has sent a surprise gift. If you know that neither of these is true, you can be on the alert for a possible scam.

Don’t get scammed!

Take these precautions to avoid being the next victim of a pending package scam:

  • Be wary of unsolicited communications. Your mail carrier and package-delivery services will never contact you via text message or phone call. If a package cannot be delivered for any reason, they will usually leave you a note on the door.
  • Be wary of “professional” emails sent from unsecure addresses. Any online communications from the USPS or a mail delivery agency will be sent via their own secure domain. Always be suspicious of emails sent from unsecure addresses.
  • Track all incoming packages. After placing an order for an item, record the tracking number for the package so you can easily verify its whereabouts. This way, you can quickly confirm the authenticity of any suspicious texts, emails or phone calls about your package.
  • Never share personal information with an unverified contact. Be super-wary when asked to share sensitive information via text, or when online or on a phone call. If you suspect fraud, end the conversation immediately and do not engage further.
  • Never click on links in unsolicited emails. Links in emails can download malware onto your computer or device. Don’t click links in emails from people you don’t know or from companies you have not asked to contact you. Be wary of official-looking email; popular brands can easily be spoofed.

 If you’ve been targeted

If you believe you’ve been targeted by a pending package scam, it’s important not to engage with the scammer. Delete any suspicious text messages and block the number of the contact. Similarly, delete suspicious emails and mark them as spam. You can also report the scam to the local authorities and to the Federal Trade Commission. Finally, it’s a good idea to  warn your friends and family members about the circulating scam.

Your Turn: How do you determine if you’ve been targeted by a pending package scam? Tell us about it in the comments.

Paving the Path to Winning, One Brick at a Time

We are excited to participate in a NEW way of giving to the United Way of West Central Mississippi at Mutual Credit Union.  Starting Thursday, October 1st – Saturday, October 31st we are offering visitors to any Mutual CU branch or drive-thru the opportunity to contribute $1 or more to the United Way of West Central Mississippi. Those who contribute by donating a $1 or more will have their name written on a brick and posted around our teller lines. If you are not planning to visit a Mutual CU branch by the end of October, you can call 1-877-457-3654 option 0 for the call center Monday 0 Friday during normal business hours and they can assist you with your contribution. Just $10 weekly provides medical services to 10 individuals, $20 weekly provides 10 families in crisis with emergency assistance, $40 weekly provides food, shelter, & services to an abused child for one year.  

The United Way of West Central Mississippi is a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving Warren, Claiborne, Sharkey, Yazoo, Issaquena counties, and the tip of Madison Parish while working to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health. These are the building blocks of a good life- a quality education, enough income to support a family, and good health. By bringing together people and resources to address these issues, and by attacking their underlying causes, the United Way hopes to make lasting, fundamental change for everyone. We measure ourselves not just by the amount of money raised for the community, but also by the impact we and our community partners have on changing community outcomes. 

For more information about the United Way, please visit their website at www.unitedwayvicksburg.org.

United Way of West Central MS COVID-19 Relief Program Assistance Numbers as of Sept. 28, 2020.

For more information about Mutual Credit Union, please follow this link to our webpage. For additional questions, please contact the marketing department at marketing@mutualcu.org or call (601) 636-7523 ext. 1226.

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Mutual Credit Union Celebrates the 72nd Anniversary of International Credit Union Day

On Thursday, October 15th, Mutual Credit Union, along with more than 56,000 credit unions around the world, will celebrate International Credit Union Day (ICU Day). Celebrated for the first time in 1948, this annual event raises global awareness for the credit union movement through outreach, volunteering, fundraising and other ICU Day-themed activities. Credit unions bring financial inclusion and a promising future to people all over the world, and ICU Day is a chance to spotlight and celebrate these achievements.

To celebrate You and International Credit Union Day we INVITE members of Mutual Credit Union and the Public to visit any of our six branch locations for some Mutual CU goodies on Thursday, October 15, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Items will be distributed thru the drive-thru tubes, at teller windows, or in member services offices. Please follow this link for location details. Mutual Credit Union items are available while supplies last.

Celebrate with us in this worldwide movement that has made helping people its No. 1 priority for more than 160 years.

International Credit Union Day is brought to you by World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and Credit Union National Association (CUNA)—WOCCU’s direct member organization in the United States.

“This year’s theme for ICU Day is ‘Inspiring hope for a global community,” said Michelle Kamke, marketing projects manager at CUNA. “What better way to show how credit unions from across the world provide hope through financial services, education and support than to highlight how credit unions have advanced the lives of members during the economic uncertainty brought by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.” 

Participating credit unions can showcase how members and non-members alike can turn to them for financial services, guidance and relief to overcome everyday hurdles, unexpected loss or disaster. You’re encouraged to share your ICU Day highlights with credit unions worldwide on social media using #ICUDay.

“Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, credit unions around the globe have continued to provide a high level of service to their members and demonstrated a generosity to their local communities that has set them apart from other financial institutions. We are truly inspiring hope for a global community. I can’t think of a better theme around which to celebrate International Credit Union Day 2020,” said Brian Branch, World Council of Credit Unions’ President and CEO.

In a year like no other, credit unions can embrace this day to celebrate how they are different and the difference they make.

About CUNA

Credit Union National Association (CUNA) is the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America’s credit unions, which are owned by 115 million consumer members. CUNA, along with its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, delivers unwavering advocacy, continuous professional growth and operational confidence to protect the best interests of all credit unions. For more information about CUNA, visit cuna.org. To find your nearest credit union, visit YourMoneyFurther.com.

World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development platform for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions’ financial performance and increase their outreach.

World Council has implemented 300+ technical assistance programs in 89 countries. Worldwide, 85,400 credit unions in 118 countries serve 274 million people. Learn more about World Council’s impact around the world at http://www.woccu.org.

For more information about Mutual Credit Union please follow this link to our web page. Any additional questions, please contact the marketing department at marketing@mutualcu.org or by calling (601) 636-7523 ext. 1220.

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