A Westman area woman almost got caught on a texting scam recently, but an expired credit card started her spidey-sense tingling.
Okay, that woman was me!
I was expecting a package containing new brochures on Aquatic Invasive Species on behalf of the Killarney Lake Action Committee from the Province of Manitoba. So, I was expecting the box to come through a Purolator delivery.
Well, yesterday I got the text that the parcel was unable to be delivered on July 27th because a signature was required. So, in order for the parcel to be resent I had to pay a nominal fee of around $6.00. No problem!
And I do want to mention I often get texts from TELUS on the newest greatest plan, and Canadian Tire M/C for payment reminders, and Dairy Queen sharing on the newest flavor of Blizzards for $1 off, and other legitimate organizations. I also do get the odd one that is clearly a phishing scam. But since I was expecting this delivery, I thought it was legit.
I clicked the link and when I put in my m/c number and related info the message read, 'unable to make payment, please use another card'. Then I checked the expiration date on the card. 04/2025. Oops! Okay next card. When I put in this card, I knew the expiration date was 11/2025 so all was good. However, the message came back again, 'unable to make payment, please use another card.'
And that's when I started to question what I had stepped into. A quick email (of high alert) to my contact at the AIS Department confirmed that her package was sent via Canada Post.
I had given my credit card information x2 to a scammer. And they were requesting for a third card.
I phoned the m/c 1-800 number on the back of my card and started the process to cancel my cards. The woman on the other side of the phone was very understanding. "These things happen," she said. "You did the right thing by calling us right away. Say ..... have you been doing any activity on Apple in the last 10 minutes?"
I said no.
"On one of your cards someone has been trying to set up an Apple account multiple times and they're still trying while I'm talking to you," she said. "It's good that you called!"
When I explained how I thought this was legitimate, she said, "They try texting this same message to hundreds of people hoping that just one might be expecting a parcel from Purolator."
So, what's the take away from this experience that leaves you feeling kind of yucky?
If you're expecting a parcel from an organization, confirm how it's coming to you and get a tracking number, so you know what you're watching for. Yup, that was my first mistake.
Secondly if something doesn't feel right, it's probably not.
Third, do call your credit card asap (the number on the back of your card or your statement ... NOT the number the text is asking you to call). It's worth feeling uncomfortable sharing how you got duped into giving away valuable information that could be disastrous. And believe me, you're not the first one who almost got caught on a phishing scam that day.
Yes, this time it happened to me .. ALMOST!
