FedEx: Those Texts, Emails You're Getting Aren't From Us

That text or email you just got from FedEx about your package that starts "Hello mate"? Don't open it, or if you do by mistake, don't click on any of its links. That's because it's a scam, the delivery giant says, and one that's affecting consumers across the country. HowToGeek.com details how the fraudulent messages work: Users get a text or email—addressed to them using their names, or even with a "hello mate" salutation—that seems to have info on a package's status. Once they click on a link for the package's "tracking code," however, they're taken to a fake Amazon shopper survey; after answering the questions, users are then asked for a credit card number so they can pay a small shipping fee on a pricey "free" product they're able to claim.

The catch is that the fine print says they'll be charged a monthly fee for subsequent deliveries of the product until they cancel. "FedEx does not send unsolicited text messages or emails to customers requesting money or package or personal information," the company says in a statement, per USA Today. "Any suspicious text messages or emails should be deleted without being opened, and reported to abuse@fedex.com." The company adds to ABC News. "While there is no foolproof method to prevent the FedEx name from being used in a scam, we are constantly monitoring for such activity and work cooperatively with law enforcement." The company also lists tips on its site on how to recognize fraud, including fraudulent emails, which it says "are the most common avenue of online scams." (More FedEx stories.)