VOICE Staff
San Bernardino County officials are warning residents of the most recent twist to an ongoing scam.
With the increased online shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic predators are leveraging this increased activity as an opportunity to seek your personal information in a scam that continues to escalate.
The scam begins with an email or text message supposedly from United Parcel Service (UPS) or FedEx. It states you have an item that is ready to ship but you need to update your shipping preferences—even though there is no package. If you click on the link or download the attachment, it is very likely you will end up with malware.
Malware is software that damages your computer, cell phone or other device with a virus that allows a scam predator to access your identity and other personal information.
Do not let this happen.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) recommend the following to avoid any delivery confusion and potential scams:
Do not click! If you receive an unexpected email or text message, do not click on any links or open any attachments.
Enroll yourself on the company website. If you are expecting packages from UPS or FedEx, sign up online so that you can check status and account information for yourself.
Guard against malware. Keep your software up to date on all your devices. Set your security software, internet browser and operating system (like Windows or Mac OS X) to update automatically.
Always protect your personal information. This includes your full name, address, birthdate, Social Security, and account numbers.
If you think you may be a victim of a scam, contact San Bernardino County Adult Protective Services (APS) at 1 877-565‑2020 or your local police department.
You may also report scam predators to the FTC, BBB, APS and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center.