UPS scam using your personal name targeting Mississauga and Brampton

Residents in Mississauga and Brampton are encouraged to look out for a UPS scam text message that is hitting cell phones in the area.

The text message is alarming because it addresses the customer by name and lists their postal code before requesting an unpaid fee.

The message reads: “(Customer’s name), you have an unpaid fee of $3.96 for your previous parcel which was delivered at (customer’s postal code). To avoid interest Reply PAY to receive your payment link.”

@UPS_Canada is this a real text or scam? Looks sketchy but it includes my full name and postal code. No tracking number. Just wanted to be sure! pic.twitter.com/mADrPXdnHM

— Melanie (@lady_melmac) July 28, 2022

@UPS_Canada assuming this text is a scam – can you please confirm? pic.twitter.com/qmzMhnKDEO

— Becky (@beckytree2) July 29, 2022

UPS Canada have not said whether they are aware of this recent scam text message. But the shipping company does say on their website that requests from UPS are not real if they do not include a valid tracking number.

“If UPS contacts you regarding a package, the UPS representative will always be able to provide a tracking number, which you can verify on our website,” UPS said.

Scam text messages that UPS have seen in the past have tried to get customers to click links or send back personal information.

“These communications will generally ask you for personal information and/or a payment in advance of receiving a package, or may indicate a need to update your account by obtaining personal information or a copy of your UPS invoice,” UPS said. “The links in the text messages may contain malware or direct to a fraudulent website.”

UPS encourages customers who suspect they have received a fraudulent text message to report it to [email protected].