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• Fake text message alerts claim to be from legitimate courier service
• URL requests personal or financial information to arrange redelivery
• If in doubt, go to the official website and enter your tracking number

A new survey has revealed the fastest-growing type of scam and it’s probably one you’ve already received this month: a fake parcel delivery alert sent by text message.

According to research published by NatWest, a UK bank, fake delivery alerts are the fastest-growing con of 2024. The study combines industry data with feedback from a survey of 2,000 British adults.

These messages, delivered to your mobile phone by SMS, claim to be from a courier service. They state that a package delivery has been attempted and needs to be rescheduled. They then prompt the recipient to click a link.

This malicious URL leads to a phishing website designed to look legitimate. It will ask for personal details and usually request a fee payment to arrange the fictitious redelivery. If users submit their information here, including login credentials or credit card details, cybercriminals will be able to use them for fraudulent purposes, including purchases.

Companies commonly impersonated in examples we’ve seen include FedEx, DHL and UPS. Because it’s common to receive real redelivery alerts by SMS, it’s easy to be fooled by an apparently convincing message. It’s also easier to fake an SMS alert, because it contains fewer words and doesn’t include a logo.

The scheme uses tactics common to most phishing scams. The message creates a sense urgency, as most people will want to respond to a missed package and arrange its redelivery as soon as possible. They might also receive and read the SMS when they are away from home and distracted, meaning they don’t pay enough attention to whether it is legitimate.

The scam is particularly effective at this time of year, because many people will be expecting genuine deliveries ahead of the festive season. The scam also relies on emotional manipulation: a lot of these packages will contain presents for love ones, so people will be particularly keen to ensure that they are safely delivered.

As a result, recipients of the SMS may act quickly to resolve the apparent issue. This could cause them to overlook inconsistencies in the message, such as the lack of tracking number.

How to stay safe

Some examples of the kinds of scam 'missed parcel' SMS text messages you might see this holiday season (credit: National Cyber Security Centre). (Image credit: National Cyber Security Centre)

As with any SMS message or email you receive which claims to be from a real company, the most important step is to stop and think before clicking on a link. Be alert to tell-tale signs of a phishing scam, particularly any urgent requests for personal or financial information.

Stuart Skinner, a Fraud Expert from NatWest, advises people: “Think about it: would a real delivery company ask you to follow a link and make a payment?”

This statement from FedEx reflects the position of most courier services: “FedEx does not request, via unsolicited mail, email, or text, any personal information pertaining to your account credentials or identity.”

Once you’ve paused for thought, consider the details in the message and ask yourself a few questions. Are you expecting a delivery? If so, which company is handling that delivery? You should have received a confirmation when you placed your order, which should tell you the courier service and tracking number. If those don’t match up, then you’ve received a fake message.

You should also look out for grammatical errors in the message, as well as misspelled website addresses or variations of real URLs. If you’re uncertain about a link, don’t click it. Instead, head directly to the courier service’s official website and input your tracking number. This ensures you’re seeing genuine information about your package, including whether any action is required.

Most couriers offer advice about how to avoid fake delivery scams. For example, DHL states: “If you don't recognize the sender and don't expect the email or text message, there's a chance you're phishing.”

The United States Postal Inspection Service echoes this advice: “If you suspect the text message you have received is suspicious but are expecting a parcel, please do not click on any links. Rather, report it and visit USPS.com from your mobile device or computer for tracking and additional resources..”

UPS has a similar recommendation: “If you are unsure of the validity of a text, do not click or select any links or open any attachments as they may contain a virus.”

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• MobiSystems rebrands to MobiOffice
• Adds new MobiScan app for mobile document management
• Affordable pricing aims to attract a billion users worldwide

MobiSystems, known for its OfficeSuite software, has rebranded under a new unified platform to provide an integrated productivity experience that combines office software, PDF editing, and cloud storage within a single package.

The rebrand to MobiOffice will includes MobiPDF (formerly PDF Extra) and MobiDrive, all redesigned to offer a more integrated productivity tool experience.

With a user base of over 550 million worldwide, MobiSystems has now set its sights on the billion mark with the introduction of new products, including MobiScan, a mobile scanning app.

MobiOffice is here

MobiDocs offers a streamlined tool for document creation, supporting both basic text editing and advanced formatting options. Users can quickly create professional-grade documents, benefiting from customizable templates and an AI-powered paraphraser that adds sophistication and ease to the writing process.

For those focused on data management, MobiSheets provides straightforward tools for organizing home budgets and offers advanced data processing options like Pivot Tables for more complex business needs.

MobiSlides is designed to simplify the process of creating presentations, providing an intuitive design suite with customizable templates and options for animations, multimedia integration, and custom transitions.

Each of these components is also available as a standalone app on Windows, giving users the option to select the specific tools they need without purchasing the entire suite.

Formerly known as PDF Extra, MobiPDF lets users create and edit PDFs across platforms, including Windows, Android, and iOS. Built with an integrated mobile scanner, MobiPDF allows users to create high-quality PDFs from any document, including file conversion for over 20 formats, password protection, and advanced encryption, making it suitable for users who prioritize data security.

MobiDrive provides secure and scalable cloud storage, ranging from 20GB of free storage to 2TB paid plans. This service supports storage and conversion for over 1,200 file formats, making it a versatile option for users who need universal accessibility. MobiDrive is available on Windows, Android, iOS, and the web.

MobiOffice Premium is priced at $4.19 per month, or a one-time fee of $99.99 for lifetime access. For users who prefer individual apps, MobiDocs, MobiSheets, and MobiSlides are available at $2.49 per month each. MobiPDF is also priced affordably at $4.19 per month. Meanwhile, MobiDrive’s cloud storage options start at $4.99 per month for up to 2TB.

"In today’s fast-paced world, we provide a solution designed for everyone, helping people accomplish any task, from anywhere, on any device—so they can thrive in whatever they do," noted Justin Priestley, MobiSystems Chief Marketing Officer.

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