UPS is a global company with one of the most recognised and admired brands in
the world. Fraudsters wish to take advantage of that recognition and the trust
that comes with it. These individuals may inappropriately use the UPS name or
its services to perpetuate fraudulent activities. UPS strives to keep you
informed of scams that are not in the best interest of our customers. While UPS
is not liable for the actions of third parties, we are working to prevent and
detect fraud where possible.
Fraud itself is nothing new, and the same types of fraud schemes that have
existed for many years can now be found online, in e-mail, and through other
computer-based methods. Provided below are some suggested fraud prevention
measures and information about common types of fraud schemes:
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Fraudulent e-mails assume many different forms and are the unauthorised actions of third parties not associated with UPS. E-mail messages referred to as "phishing" or "spoofing" are becoming more common and may appear legitimate by incorporating company brands, colors, or other legal disclaimers.
Please be advised that UPS does not request payments or personal information in an unsolicited manner through e-mail or mail in exchange for the transportation of goods or services. UPS accepts no responsibility for any costs or charges incurred inappropriately as a result of fraudulent activity.
Awareness and recognition of fraudulent e-mails is vital to protecting yourself against theft and other related crimes. Common indicators that an e-mail might be fraudulent include the following:
- Design Flaws: An e-mail containing distorted or irregularly sized logos or brands
- Poor Grammar: Grammatical errors and excessive use of exclamation points
- Misspellings: Incorrectly spelled words and/or links to altered websites. For example, modifications or variations of the www.ups.com website address, such as www.UPS.com/US or www.UPScompany.com.
- Sense of Urgency: Alarming messages requesting immediate action, such as "Your account will be suspended within 24 hours." or "Contact us immediately to claim your parcel or prize."
- Unexpected Requests: A request attempting to obtain money, financial information (i.e., bank account or credit card numbers), or personal information in exchange for the delivery of a package or other article
- Communication: An e-mail that does not provide an alternative method for communicating the requested information (i.e., telephone, mail, or physical locations)
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At UPS, we are committed to protecting the interests of the communities we serve. Provided below are basic steps to prevent e-mail and Internet-related fraud schemes:
- Never respond to e-mails or select Web links from any unknown source that requires you to provide, update, or verify personal, financial, or other confidential information.
- Use a secure Internet browser.
- Create strong passwords by using a combination of letters and numbers.
- Always use up-to-date virus protection software and consider using spyware detection programs.
- Equip your computer with either a software or hardware firewall.
- Do not access confidential information at Internet cafes, public libraries, etc.
- If you are using a wireless device, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions on establishing the services and settings to ensure a protective level of security.
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In the past, successful fraudsters may have needed "an honest face." However, today's criminals only need a legitimate-looking website or e-mail to commit fraud.
We regularly monitor the Internet for the unauthorised use of the UPS brand to protect our customers. The unauthorised or unlicensed use of UPS intellectual property (trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets) is reviewed and addressed by UPS. Please note that some fraudulent websites may have the look and feel of a legitimate UPS website. To be assured you are accessing an authorised UPS website, use "ups.com" or "international.ups.com" rather than a link embedded in another source. |
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Fraudulent e-mails adopt many different forms and are the unauthorised actions of third parties not associated with UPS. E-mail messages referred to as "phishing" or "spoofing" are becoming more common and may appear legitimate by incorporating company brands, colors, or other legal disclaimers. Help protect yourself by becoming familiar with these methods of fraud:
- Spam: Often referred to as "junk mail," spam consists of e-mail messages that are unsolicited by the recipient and that target the recipient with direct mail messages.
- Phishing: The term "phishing," as in fishing for confidential information, refers to a scam in which the sender attempts to fraudulently obtain and use personal or financial information.
Please be advised that UPS does not request payments, personal information, financial information, account numbers, IDs, or passwords in an unsolicited manner through e-mail or mail in exchange for the transportation of goods or services. UPS accepts no responsibility for any costs or charges incurred inappropriately as a result of fraudulent activity.
Awareness and recognition of fraudulent e-mails and phishing attempts is vital to protecting yourself against theft and other related crimes. Common indicators that an e-mail might be fraudulent include the following:
- Design Flaws: An e-mail containing distorted or irregularly sized logos
- Poor Grammar: Grammatical errors and excessive use of exclamation points
- Misspellings: Incorrectly spelled words or links to altered websites (For example, modifications or variations of the legitimate www.ups.com website address, such as www.unitedparcelservices.com.)
Note: UPS sends legitimate e-mail from several URLs, including ups.com and upsemail.com.
- Sense of Urgency: Alarming messages requesting immediate action, such as "Your account will be suspended within 24 hours." or "Contact us immediately to claim your parcel or prize."
- Unexpected Requests: A request attempting to obtain money, financial information (e.g. bank account or payment card numbers), or personal information in exchange for the delivery of a package or other article
- Communication: An e-mail that does not provide an alternative method for communicating the requested information (i.e. telephone, mail, or physical locations)
Some legitimate UPS communications may come in the form of an e-mail with an "e-package" link contained within the e-mail. These messages are designed to increase the protection around sensitive information, and the associated link will always start with https://epackage1.ups.com. |
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In addition to fraudulent websites and e-mails, fraudsters also may use the telephone in an attempt to gather your personal information. These fraudulent phone calls are the unauthorised actions of third parties not associated with UPS. Fraudulent phone calls claiming to be from UPS may indicate a package is waiting to be delivered. The caller will generally ask you for personal information or a payment in advance of receiving a package.
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. You also should know that UPS may call from time to time regarding service offerings or for marketing purposes, but you may always verify our phone number and call back before proceeding.
If you are ever unsure of the validity of a phone call, ask for the caller's first and last name and a call-back telephone number. |
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Recognizing Fraud Schemes
