FedEx, a global leader in express transportation and logistics, has been a cornerstone of reliable and efficient delivery services for decades.
With a vast network spanning the globe, FedEx has become synonymous with swift and secure shipping, catering to the diverse needs of businesses and individuals alike.
Unfortunately, the rise of online transactions and digital communication has also given rise to scams exploiting the trusted reputation of FedEx.
FedEx scams trick you using fake emails, websites, or urgent money requests for package delivery, often falsely claiming large prize winnings.
1) ATM Card Delivery Scam
These scams involve the delivery of a supposedly new or misplaced ATM card. You might receive a message claiming that a new card is on its way to you, or that a card you lost has been found.
Like many scams, the catch lies in the request for your personal information and a payment, often disguised as a small “holding” fee, to facilitate the delivery of the card.
Ignore messages that bring with them such a request. Scammers use this tactic to extract money and gather personal information, putting you at risk of identity theft or financial fraud.
Think of it as a digital bait-and-switch – the promise of a new ATM card serves as the bait, and the request for personal information and payment is the switch.
2) Check Or Bank Draft Scam
Another type of scam touching on this company involve fake FedEx emails that claim to hold a certified check or bank draft for you.
These scams often feature senders posing as past business associates or anonymous benefactors, suggesting that you have an unclaimed sum waiting for you.
The catch? To supposedly access this windfall, you’re asked to share personal information and make a small payment – a tactic to trick you into revealing sensitive financial or bank account details.
A genuine company doesn’t reach out in this manner, especially not with unsolicited emails promising unexpected financial gains. The scammers use the allure of a check or bank draft to create a sense of urgency and importance, hoping you’ll overlook the red flags.
If you receive an email claiming to have a certified check or bank draft for you but demands personal information or payment, just know that it is a rip-off.
3) Contact Required
With this prevalent FedEx scam, scammers reach out to you via email or phone, claiming there’s an issue with a shipment that needs your attention. Once they establish contact, these attackers employ social engineering tactics to try and deceive you.
The scam is usually initiated through an email that is deliberately vague, offering minimal or no information about the supposed shipment.
Always ignore an unsolicited email or a call regarding a FedEx shipment issue and lacks specific details – it’s a red flag. Genuine communications from FedEx about a shipment problem would contain comprehensive information about the issue, such as tracking numbers, dates, or a clear description of the problem.
Don’t be quick to reply to messages with some sense of urgency, prompting you to respond. Replying to such messages will provide an opening for them to use social engineering techniques to manipulate you into revealing sensitive information or making payments.
4) FedEx Status
Always stay on your guard when it comes to emails claiming to be from FedEx. Some tricky individuals out there send fake emails, pretending to be FedEx employees.
They might try to deceive you with a false notice about FedEx services, or they could throw in a random phrase or sentence to confuse you. The real kicker? These emails might even have an attachment hiding a nasty computer virus. Yikes!
Whenever you get one of these emails, resist the urge to open that attachment. Hit the delete button pronto. By not opening the attachment, you’ll protect your computer from potential harm.
5) Delivery Failure
This FedEx scam involves deceitful emails notifying you about a failed package delivery. These emails falsely claim to be from FedEx and urge you to open an attachment.
The attachment supposedly contains the air bill or invoice necessary to retrieve the undelivered package. The reality is that the attachment may harbor a harmful virus. It is crucial not to open the attachment and, instead, promptly delete the email.
How FedEx Protects Customers From Fraud
FedEx has been earning the trust of their customer for more than 50 years. Their team goes out of their way to shield the personal information of users through the following ways:
Secure Online Experience
For a safe and protected online experience when logging into fedex.com, ensure your web browser can support 128-bit encryption.
This ensures that any information of a sensitive nature that is exchanged between you and FedEx becomes coded or encrypted, adding an extra layer of security to your data.
The encryption is a secret code that only you and FedEx can understand. Encryption safeguards your personal details, making it much more difficult for unauthorized individuals to access or comprehend the information being shared.
When you’re on the login page of FedEx’s website, check for a small, closed padlock symbol in the address bar of your browser.
On top of that, pay attention to the website’s URL – it should begin with “https” instead of just “http.” The “s” stands for “secure,” emphasizing that the information you’re providing and receiving is protected.
VeriSign Validation
The company employs VeriSign Extended Validation (EV) certificates. These certificates are akin to digital badges that assure an extra level of validation for the website. Think of it as a high-tech seal of approval, letting you know that the site has undergone rigorous verification to ensure its authenticity.
For those using browsers that support EV certificates, you get an additional layer of confidence. These browsers display a distinct validation indicator, usually in the form of a green address bar.
This visual cue is akin to a digital handshake, affirming that you are indeed connecting with the legitimate and verified FedEx website.
If you use a browser that doesn’t support EV certificates, don’t worry—fedex.com will still function seamlessly for you. The website is designed to work on a wide range of browsers.
The only difference is that without EV support, you won’t see the specific validation indicator, such as the green bar.
Unique Login Protection
Securing your access to FedEx online account services involves a unique login protection system. To get into your account, you’re required to have a user ID and a password.
Once you’ve set up your user ID and password, rest assured that the company takes extra measures to keep them safe.
Integrated Features
FedEx prioritizes security through their DevSecOps approach—Development, Security, and Operations. This means they embed security features directly into their development platforms and pipelines.
The aim is to prevent bugs and vulnerabilities from reaching you, ensuring a secure online experience.
What to Do if You’re a Victim of FedEX Scam
Here’s what to do if you’ve fallen victim of a FedEx scam:
Report the incident – Contact your local law enforcement agency and file a report about the scam. Provide as much detail as possible, including any communication you’ve had with the scammer, transaction information, and any other relevant details. Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through their website.
Contact FedEx – Contact FedEx directly to inform them of the scam. They may have specific procedures for handling such incidents and can offer guidance on how to proceed. Provide them with details about the scam, such as tracking numbers, names, and any other information you have.
Contact your bank or credit card company – If you’ve provided any financial information to the scammer, contact your bank or credit card company immediately. Report the incident, explain the situation, and follow their guidance on securing your accounts or disputing any unauthorized transactions.
Secure your personal information – Change passwords for your online accounts, especially if you provided login credentials during the scam. This includes email, banking, and any other accounts that may be at risk.
Enable two-factor authentication on your accounts where possible to add an extra layer of security. Always be careful about sharing personal information online and be vigilant for any signs of identity theft.
Check and monitor your credit report – Obtain a copy of your credit report from major credit bureaus such as Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Review the report for any unauthorized or suspicious activity.
Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports to alert creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts. In some cases, you may opt for a credit freeze to restrict access to your credit report.
