Fake Delivery Texts Hit Inboxes, Revolut Breach Followed by Scams, and the FTC Takes Down Two Deception Operations

Fake delivery texts are targeting package recipients, and Revolut customers are seeing phishing messages after a data breach. Regulators are also taking action against two companies that deceived customers for years.

Fake Delivery Alerts Are Designed to Empty Your Bank Account

Scammers are sending text messages that look like they come from FedEx or UPS. The message claims there's a small fee to deliver your package, or promises a refund if you've been overcharged. The link in the message leads to a fake website that collects your credit card number and bank login information.

The trick works because most of us are expecting packages, so the message feels real. The sense of urgency matters too. A small fee seems reasonable compared to the risk of losing a package.

If you get a text about a delivery fee or refund from a carrier, do not click the link. Instead, go directly to the FedEx or UPS website by typing the address into your browser yourself. Check your account there. A real delivery company will not ask you to click a text link to pay a fee.

Revolut Customers Hit Twice: First a Breach, Then Phishing Texts

Revolut, a digital banking app, had customer data stolen and sold on the dark web. Within days, scammers used that stolen information to send phishing texts to those same customers. The texts tried to trick them into handing over more credentials or money.

This pattern shows how quickly criminals move. A data breach is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of a chain of attacks. The scammers know your phone number and email because they bought that information. Now they use it to contact you directly.

If you use Revolut and did not receive a breach notification from the company, check your account for suspicious activity. Change your password if you have not done so recently. Be extra cautious about any text or email asking you to verify your identity or update your account information.

FTC Wins Historic Case Against Amway Over Deceptive Earnings Claims

The Federal Trade Commission won a settlement against Amway, one of the largest multilevel marketing companies in the United States. Amway must pay 225 million dollars and stop using false promises to recruit new members.

Amway's model relied on recruiting people by promising them large earnings. In reality, most members made little or no money. The company profited from recruiting, not from actual sales. This is the definition of an illegal pyramid scheme dressed up as a business opportunity.

If someone invites you to join a business where your primary income comes from recruiting others rather than selling actual products, it is likely a scam. Ask yourself whether this business would exist if no one was being recruited into it. If the answer is no, walk away.

FleetCor Charged Hidden Fees to Small Business Owners

FleetCor, a company that provides fuel cards to small businesses, charged customers hidden fees while marketing the cards as money-saving tools. The company is paying 100 million dollars to settle the case.

Small business owners trusted the company to help them manage fuel expenses fairly. Instead, they were quietly charged fees that were never disclosed upfront. When you sign up for any service that involves charges, read the terms carefully and ask questions about what fees might appear on your bill.

You now have the tools to spot these patterns. They include urgent text messages with suspicious links, data breaches followed by phishing attempts, promises of easy money from recruiting, and hidden fees buried in service agreements. Stay alert to the method, not just the specific scammer.