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Experts warn of 'pending package' text message scam

Posted at 4:57 AM, Sep 14, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-14 04:57:28-04

People across the country are receiving a strange text message lately. It claims a package is waiting for you to pick it up.

You've probably received email scams claiming to be from your bank or credit card, but this latest questionable scam contacts you by text message.

Police believe the sender may have purchased your name and cell phone number from a data break, but they don't have other information unless you give it to them.

Dave Landeen got the text message one night.

"It came from this phone number that I did not recognize, area code 470. It said, 'David we came across a package from June pending for you. Kindly assume ownership and confirm for delivery here.'"

He was tempted to click the link because the sender knew his name. But what makes this text message so suspicious is that it doesn't say whether it's from the post office, UPS or FedEx, all that would tell you if they had your package.

According to tech expert Kim Komando, people who clicked the link were told they had won a gift card. They had to fill out the form and agree to pay a monthly subscription, and you had to give them a credit card number, so you could be scammed twice.