(Updated November 13, 2008)
We have become aware of a fraudulent e-mail being sent that
says it is coming from UPS and leads the reader to believe
that a UPS shipment could not be delivered. The reader is
advised to open an attachment reportedly containing a waybill
for the shipment to be picked up.
This email attachment contains a virus. We recommend that you
do not open the attachment, but delete the email immediately.
UPS may send official notification messages on occasion, but
they rarely include attachments.
What to Do if You Receive a Suspicious E-mail
If you receive a fraudulent or suspicious e-mail that claims
to be from UPS, do not respond or select any links associated
with the e-mail. Please report the activity by forwarding the
e-mail to fraud@ups.com and
delete the original.
Note: When forwarding the suspicious e-mail,
do not modify the original subject line or contents enclosed
and do not include any personal or confidential information.
Protect Yourself Against Fraud
UPS strives to keep you informed of e-mail scams that attempt
to collect confidential information or invoke actions that are
not in the best interest of our customers. We are aware that
occasionally individuals or companies will fraudulently
misrepresent themselves as UPS, and will target people through
the unauthorized use of our brand name, trademarks, and
logos.
Recognizing Fraud Schemes
Fraudulent e-mails assume many different forms and are the
unauthorized 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)
Fraud Prevention Measures
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.
- Reference the
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for suggestions on how to
avoid e-mail scams and deal with deceptive spam.
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