Unfortunately, if you’ve received an unexpected check in a UPS envelope, it’s a scam.
Like so many Americans today, I have been targeted by some online crooks who hacked into my UPS account. Some scammer hacked into my UPS account to charge tens of thousands of dollars in overnight shipping charges to send next-day envelopes from various fake companies containing a fraudulent check inside each one. Luckily, I received a notification from UPS about activity in my account, and a few of the envelopes were returned to my address as undeliverable. That’s when I found the checks inside the UPS envelopes totaling over $100,000.
My account was charged a whopping $40,000, and still climbing. This is a major scam you should be looking out for so you don’t fall victim on either end. How this UPS next-day check scam works is downright deceptive.
The scammer will send a follow-up mailer saying that you were accidentally overpaid and a portion needs to be sent back. The victim is still happy to receive a $12,000 check for example, gladly mails back a check for $3,000, thinking they are netting $9,000 out of thin air. It’s a trap, and the only good check is the one you sent back to the crook before realizing that their original generous check is not good.
Scammers typically use stolen bank account information to send these fake checks, and their hope is that you deposit it before learning the money doesn’t exist.
Red flags to watch out for
Even if you’re expecting a check from an employer or company, if the amount written on the check is for a higher number than promised, this is a major red flag. Don’t assume you’re in a game of Monopoly and there was a bank error in your favor — even if you were told to just “keep the extra.” Typically, overpayment means the extra money is fraudulent, and you’ll either be contacted to return it or that money will be automatically removed from the account where you deposited the check.
HOW TO PREVENT PHONE SCAMS AGAINST OLDER LOVED ONES
3. Look carefully at who sent the check and through which bank
Common ways scammers will collect your information:
1. Job posting
Scammers often post job listings for “work from home” positions where you’ll sign up for a position like an online mystery shopper, a return shipment processor, or someone on payroll. Be careful when applying to any job and confirm it’s a legitimate company before handing over any personal information such as your address.
3 BIG MISTAKES THAT CAN GIVE SCAMMERS ACCESS TO YOUR BANK ACCOUNTS
With just a few key pieces of information, cyberstalkers and blackmailers can use people search sites to find out more about you. With this initial piece of information, these crooks may call you pretending to be your bank and win you over by reading back to you some of this initial information. Hoping your guard goes down, they will try to get more personal information out of you to then use to call your bank, reset your passcodes, and take over your financial accounts.
Taking control: removing your information from data brokers
While this may seem worrisome, there is something you can do about it. You can request that data brokers remove your information. You can do this by contacting each data broker site, one by one. However, even if you manage to delete your data from some of the popular sites, there is no guarantee that it will stay deleted. Data broker sites can resell the information you just deleted again and again. This creates a frustrating situation where you have to constantly monitor and update your removal requests. It’s like playing whack-a-mole with your data. Unfortunately, there is no effective regulation or oversight of these sites, so you are left to fend for yourself in this digital jungle. And with hundreds of them in the U.S. alone, it can be a daunting task. That’s where removal services come in.
What to do if you receive a check in the mail
1. Do not deposit it
Be sure you don’t learn the hard way if it’s real by depositing it into your account or cashing it. You can use the FDIC’s Bank Find Suite to check if the check was even sent through an FDIC-insured institution.
If you receive a check through USPS, you can report it to the United States Postal Inspection Service by visiting https://www.uspis.gov/report.
Kurt’s key takeaways
If you happen to receive an unsolicited check inside an UPS envelope — it’s 99.9% sure to be a scam. Keep an eye out for red flags, such as receiving a check unexpectedly or a larger amount than expected. Fraudsters often obtain personal or financial details through job postings, online sales, or auctions, so refrain from disclosing any sensitive information. If you suspect that you have been sent a counterfeit check, notify the appropriate authorities and avoid depositing it at all costs. Remember, staying vigilant and informed is crucial in protecting yourself from potential scams and ensuring your financial security.
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