12 Scams of Christmas: Avoiding Fake Delivery Notices and Holiday Shipping Scams

Fake Delivery Notice Scams

• ⚠️ Scammers exploit the holiday season's high volume of online orders with fake delivery notices via email or text.
• 🎯 These messages create a sense of urgency, prompting users to click links to "reschedule delivery" or "update shipping preferences."
• 💻 Clicking these links can lead to fake websites designed to steal personal information like usernames and passwords, or install malware that gives scammers control of your device.
• 💡 To avoid this, do not click on links in unexpected delivery messages. If you suspect a message might be legitimate, contact the shipping company directly using a known, trusted phone number or website, not the information provided in the message.
• 🛒 For items you've recently ordered, check the shipping and delivery status directly on the retailer's website or app.

Holiday Shipping Costs and Deadlines

• 📈 Shipping costs are higher this year due to temporary rate increases by USPS and other carriers to manage high operational costs and volume.
• 🗓️ To avoid extra fees, key deadlines for standard shipping include December 17th for USPS 3-day delivery and December 19th for FedEx and UPS.
• 🚀 Expedited options like UPS and FedEx offer two-day or same-day delivery on Christmas Eve, but these can be extremely expensive, potentially costing over $200 for same-day delivery from New York to Florida.

Strategies to Save on Shipping

• 🎁 Mark your calendar for National Free Shipping Day (December 14th), a promotional event where thousands of retailers offer free shipping on purchases guaranteed to arrive by Christmas Eve.
• 🏷️ Always look for promo codes offering free shipping when shopping online.
• 💳 Consider signing up for retailer membership programs (e.g., Amazon Prime, Walmart Plus) which often include free shipping benefits.
• 🛍️ Utilize "buy online, pick up in store" options to completely avoid shipping fees.
• 📧 Sending gift cards via email is a cost-effective and instant delivery method.

Legitimate Tariffs vs. Scams

• ⚠️ While fake delivery scams are prevalent, legitimate charges like tariffs can also occur, especially for international orders.
• ✈️ An example was given of a sweatshirt ordered from London, where a $65 tariff significantly increased the total cost, leading to the decision not to purchase it.
• 🧐 It's important to verify the legitimacy of any unexpected charges or notifications, distinguishing between genuine fees and scam attempts.