ATLANTA (WANF/Gray News) - Fake delivery service texts have exploded in popularity since consumers have increasingly relied on shopping online.

Fake delivery texts prey on consumers’ curiosity, especially those who think the package may be an unexpected gift.

The text uses the lure of an undelivered package that “needs to be delivered” or “your package is delayed,” often followed by a subtle threat that the package will be returned to the sender.

Atlanta News First Investigates clicked on a link that took us to a page that requested an updated address and a phone number. The following page requested a $3 redelivery fee and credit card information.

If you get a message that you suspect is a scam, it is best to ignore it. The text is a scam if it requests personal information or payment for redelivery.

Here are a few things to remember:

• Legitimate delivery texts only provide information. The text is a scam if it requests personal information or payment for redelivery. Amazon provides driver updates with a link, but the link takes you to Amazon’s website and requires your login information.
• If you have any doubt about the legitimacy of the text, bypass the link and check your messages directly on the sender’s website.
• Legitimate retailers like Amazon always text from the same five or six-digit number.
• When the United States Postal Service, UPS, FedEx, Amazon and other online retailers message a delivery update, they do not ask or require customers to provide any information.

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