As the leaves start to change and fall settles into Northern Utah, there’s one thing you definitely don't want to fall for: a scam.
Scammers are constantly finding new ways to make their messages look legitimate. A text may appear to come from your bank, an email may look like it came from a shipping company, or you might even receive a package you never ordered.
Here are four scams to watch out for this fall.
1. The Package Delivery Scam
You're expecting a package, so a text saying there's a problem with your delivery may not seem unusual.
The message might appear to come from USPS, UPS, FedEx, or another familiar company. It may say your package couldn't be delivered, your address needs to be updated, or you need to pay a small fee for redelivery.
The goal is to get you to click a link leading to a fake website where scammers can collect your credit card or personal information.
How to protect yourself: If you're expecting a package, check its status directly through the delivery company's official website.
2. The Unpaid Toll Scam
This scam starts with a text claiming you have an unpaid toll balance. The amount is often small enough to seem believable, but the message warns you'll face additional fees if you don't pay immediately.
The link can lead to a fake website designed to steal your credit card or personal information.
How to protect yourself: Don't use the link in the text. If you think you may actually owe a toll, look up the toll agency independently. And if you haven't recently driven on a toll road, that's an even bigger red flag.
3. The Fake Bank Fraud Alert
Receiving an alert about suspicious activity on your account can be stressful. Scammers use that fear to their advantage.
You may receive a text asking if you made a purchase, followed by a call from someone claiming to be from your financial institution's fraud department. They may say your money is at risk and ask you to move it to a "safe" account or provide a one-time verification code.
How to protect yourself: Contact your financial institution using a phone number you already know is legitimate. And remember: we will never ask you to move your money to another account to keep it "safe."
4. The Unexpected Package
An unexpected package might seem like a nice surprise, but it can sometimes be a sign of a scam.
In a brushing scam, a dishonest seller sends inexpensive items to your address and then uses the shipment to create fake product reviews.
Some unexpected packages may also include a QR code claiming you can scan it to find out who sent it or process a return. That code could lead to a phishing website designed to steal your information.
How to protect yourself: Don't scan unfamiliar QR codes or provide information until you've verified where the package came from.
When in Doubt, Stop and Verify
These scams may look different, but they often rely on the same things: urgency, fear, and convenience.
When something feels suspicious, take a moment to stop before clicking a link, sharing information, or sending money. Instead, contact the company or organization directly using information you know is legitimate.
A few extra minutes of verification could save you a lot of time, money, and stress.
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