We have caught fraudsters impersonating UPS via SMS
Beware of similar practices, they may be masquerading as other shipping companies
Just a little inattention and you can lose money
The logistics company UPS, which also operates on the Czech market, has become a victim of Internet fraudsters. They send out SMS messages on behalf of the company, inviting an unclaimed package. The scam also includes a link that, if clicked, the trusting person can lose all their savings relatively quickly. Therefore, be extra careful!
SMS fraud
Last Friday, a rather strange text message arrived on the phone number of one of my colleagues. Although we have not ordered any foreign package, the message says that it is sent by UPS and it says that our package needs to be cleared additionally. The SMS comes from a number with the French area code +33 and contains the website “update-baliku.com”.
The wording of a fraudulent SMS that tries to look like an “official” message from UPS
If you receive a similar message, or it may be an e-mail or a message to a chat application (WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger), be sure not to click on any links. At first glance, the message is a scam because it came from a foreign number and because the link at the end does not lead to the official site, but to a fraudulent site.
How does the scam work?
At first glance, you will be surprised that the scammer’s website asks to verify that you are not a robot. You will then be taken to a website that resembles the home page of UPS – Czech Republic. But don’t be fooled, most of the links on the scam page don’t work, or they lead to the real ups.com website, which you can check at the top of the address bar.
So what is the deception? As soon as you search for the pre-filled order number, a pop-up window will appear with the message that a customs fee of CZK 2.99 needs to be paid. After you fill in your contact details, the greedy site will also ask you for your payment details (card number, expiry date and CVV code).
Do not do this under any circumstances. The amount of CZK 2.99 will not be deducted from your card, but perhaps all your money as well. This is because fraudsters immediately gain access to your payment data and can make payments on the Internet at will. This is probably a completely new wave of fraud, UPS has not yet warned about it anywhere.
Don’t overlook
Attention Czech Post and DHL! Fraudulent SMS messages want to extract money from you
If you have unfortunately been lured in by this or a similar scam, contact your bank immediately and report them to block your payment card, or do it yourself from the mobile application (if the bank allows it). This is the only way to prevent fraudsters from manipulating the data in any way. At the same time, beware of fraudulent SMS messages also from other logistics companies, such as Czech Post or DHL. Fraudsters like to impersonate even these big names.
Attackers most often use this type of fraud before Christmas, when people order a large number of packages and lose track of when they will receive them. They then easily get tricked and fill in the card details on the attacker’s website.
Author of the article
Jakub Fischer
Journalist, fan of modern technology, summer months and Asian food. I like Lynch movies, Pollock paintings, french house and Arsenal football club. In my spare time, I play PlayStation and go jogging.
2023-07-17 11:30:00
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