GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — There's a new text message scam you need to watch out for, and it's tied to package deliveries.
"We're seeing this scam, all over West Michigan and all over the country," said Troy Baker, educational foundation director for the Better Business Bureau Serving Western Michigan.
Baker says it's a message many people around the area have been receiving, and the goal is for the scammer to try and get your money.
"Don't fall for it," Baker said.
"When you click on the link, it says it's free to get the package, but they asked for a credit card," he said. "There's one reason that people ask for your credit card information: they expect to charge it."
Not only did I receive the text messages multiple times from different numbers, but so did many of our FOX 17 viewers.
"If it's not from a company you recognize, that's a red flag," Baker said. "If it's not from a number you recognize, that's a red flag. Anything with a link in it should be met with skepticism."
There are some red flags you should be aware of if you receive messages like this one, says Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young. "If the message is coming from somebody you don't know or you think you might not know, don't follow up on it," she said. "If they really need to contact you, they'll continue to call you or mail you items."
Here are the main things LaJoye-Young says youneed to remember:
- Never provide any personal information.
- Do not click on links from unknown numbers.
- Be sure to block the number and delete the text
"This is the latest scam," said the sheriff. "Even though we're not talking to you about a particular person that is sending you a message, you have to apply these lessons to all messages that you receive every day."
