IPS Text Message Scam is an incident that has made people question many things. First of all, their online portal is very similar to UPS. The connection between IPS and UPS is something that no one can verify because it is non-existent.
Moreover, this platform asks people for too much sensitive information; as expected, they never hold onto their end of the bargain. According to many online sources, they run surveys and other forms of promotions.
Consequently, they offer free gifts and other incentives, but to get your hands on those items or products, you must input personal information exactly what the crooks want. Identity theft is a serious thing, and it has severe consequences.
As a general rule of thumb, you should never interact with unknown entities, and you should be on high alert whenever you are using any online platform to submit anything that includes your personal information.
If you are interested in knowing more about the IPS Text Message Scam, then continue reading.
What is an IPS Text Message Scam?
IPS Text Message Scam, in plain simple words, is a phishing attempt. The masterminds behind this operation are using the designs and other characteristics of legitimate services like UPS and are trying their best to trick the consumers. They entice the public by running promotional activities.
Note that their internal systems are rigged, and the crooks make it easy to win prizes. However, when you try to collect the prize or other rewards, they will ask for your sensitive information. As we said before, they are nothing more than a phishing scam, but they have a new narrative that is more relatable to the crowd.
Anyone who innocently updates their information will likely lose money and expose themselves to much danger. Identity theft might put a permanent dent in your credit score, and if the crooks decide to use your information to commit financial fraud, things will go downhill swiftly.
Free things and offers will always be designed in an attention-grabbing manner. Nonetheless, you should always stay in your senses and move forward only after proper research. After all, even well-known brands cannot afford to conduct wild promotions frequently, right?
Is there any specific Pattern?
At Cyber Scam Review, we do not just write and expose scams; we conduct detailed investigations as well. IPS Text Message Scam shows few unique characteristics. For example, this scam is very vague in its approach. People behind these attacks most likely have not researched well.
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As a result, their targeting mechanism is random, which helped authorities quickly recognize the authenticity of this operation. Secondly, if we take a look at the users that have received the text message, most of them are from Saskatoon, Canada.
We are working tirelessly to see whether there is any way to figure out how the scammers got the contact information. Currently (26/07/2021), most of the domains associated with this scam are not functional, and the chances of reviving them are pretty low.
It goes without saying that the domain registrant’s information is hidden. So far, the actionable data we could find is quite small, but we will do our best to gather more data in the near future.
What not to do?
Below, we have highlighted a few things you need to know about dealing with text message frauds like this one. Go through them and follow these guidelines to be on the safer side.
Don’t respond to unknown texts or emails
This is the first rule you need to abide by at all times. Fancy offers or other attention-grabbing headlines are used by crooks, but you, as an end user, should never let a few narratives fool you.
Legitimate firms will never contact the wrong number, and they most certainly won’t approach anyone without doing proper research. Note that there might be a few exceptions and accidents. Nonetheless, the bottom line is that exciting rewards will never find its way to you so effortlessly.
Never click links sent from strangers
Sometimes the crooks might pretend to be someone from well-known companies or government bodies. Instead of asking for the details firsthand, they might redirect you to fraudulent sites and record your details. This form of diverting the public to malicious sites and collecting details is known as phishing.
Alternatively, cybercriminals might force users to download shady software or other programs which might compromise the integrity of a device. So, clearly, the risks are enormous, which is why you need to be careful.
Do not input sensitive information
We possibly cannot stress this point enough. No genuine government agency or firm will ever ask for things like your pin number or social security number. On the other hand, crooks rely on this information to make money, and that point is too evident.
Suppose you are asked to reveal a crazy amount of personal information. In that case, you must stop interacting with the other party and report the incident to your local cyber security unit. Remember, crooks might be sneaky in their ways, but if you observe closely, their goals will always be pretty easy to spot.
How to Report an IPS Text Message Scam?
Unfortunately, there is no designated portal to report the IPS Text Message Scam. Residents of Canada are reporting this type of phishing to law enforcement authorities directly. If you are affected in any way by this scam, then it is beneficial to raise a formal complaint.
However, if you have suffered monetary loss, hiring the recovery agency will certainly put the odds in your favor. The sooner you consult, the better the results are going to be.
Alternatively, feel free to use the contact form below to contact our experts. Our team will help you analyze the situation, provide an actionable plan and let you know the legalities involved for free.
Public Response
As IPS Text Message Scam targets only a narrow audience, it is difficult to get a clear view of the public response. Nonetheless, on Reddit, people were talking about it, and in general, the users did a good job of raising awareness.
If you want to get a glimpse of the conversation about this topic, then take a look at the comments gathered below.
Interestingly: when I started typing “international parcel” into my work computer after seeing this on my phone, it suggested “scam” and linked me to the BBB warning.
Scam. Tries to imitate UPS and get you to punch in credit card info to steal it. Do not even click on it as it probably has a unique URL associated with your phone number and may mark it as valid to sell in a list of validated numbers to other scammers. One give away is that they won’t let you go pick up at depot, forcing you to enter credit card online for them to steal.
Complaints
We received a complaint on July 3, 2023, which stated the following:
I received a message stating that my shipment was delivered yesterday to the drop-off point, but unfortunately, I lost R38.11.
On July 12, 2023, we received another complaint:
I received multiple messages from a specific number claiming that my shipment had been delivered, despite the fact that I had already paid R250 for customs.
We received this complaint on July 17, 2023.
They said I have been chosen to receive an iPhone, and I had to pay customs fees of R37. They also mentioned that the parcel was already at the depot. I have paid the fees twice but keep receiving notifications to pay again.
On July 30, 2023, we received the following complaint:
I bought something on Facebook, which turned out to be a scam. Subsequently, I received a text message requesting that I pay import taxes. In total, I have lost a little over ZAR 1,000.
On August 11, 2023, we received another complaint:
Purchased an item online from Lumotunes.com via a Facebook ad. The shipment hasn’t arrived, and I keep receiving messages about paying customs for delivery. However, they haven’t provided any contact details. I would rather collect the item myself and pay any necessary fees if the request is legitimate.
A note regarding Lumotunes.com, it appears to be a scam.
It has a TrustScore of 2 out of 5 on Trustpilot, based on 10 reviews. Every reviewer rated the company 1 star out of 5. Customers expressed major dissatisfaction with their experiences, citing concerns about the legitimacy of the business.
Lau Maciel reported that the parcel never arrived, and there was a lack of communication from the company. Similarly, Van Muylders Kris warned of a scam after waiting over three months for a product. Jade Baskett emphasized that not only did she not receive the correct item, but she also received an item valued at only $3, with no communication from the company.
Tolgahan topuoğlu and James Gibson highlighted issues with shipping and tracking, stating that tracking details are either nonexistent or not updated. Emma Foley and Joaquin Perez Fornieles called the company a scam, and both lost money in their dealings with Lumotunes.
Overall, the reviews paint a negative picture, warning all reviewers against purchasing from Lumotunes.
On August 23, 2023, we received the following complaint:
I ordered online and kept receiving messages that my order wouldn’t be delivered unless I paid the delivery fee. I paid the fee but still haven’t received my parcel.
IPS Text Message Scam: Verdict
IPS Text Message Scam is a weird and borderline obvious type of fraud. Their intentions were easy to figure out, and the authorities are doing everything possible to end it.
In the meantime, all we can do is help people understand the way this hustle works and ensure that they make better, informed decisions.
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Similar to the comment from LD McKone, except I have received the email more than 10 times now, using the same tracking Number, but often a different senders source.
Claiming to be IPS, but showing a UPS truck on their logo.
I spend most of my time fielding scam emails and texts these days! I worry so much about people who are sucked in, and the scammers are incredibly clever these days. but, the clues are there if you know where to look. For example, this IPS scam asks for a $2 payment to cover import duty; this seems to be the standard charge but a reputable international delivery company would ask for the local currency, in my case Sterling. Just another clue to look out for.
Keep up the good work.
I received an email from IPS saying I had an Amazon package that needed two dollars per parcel
Ignored this never hearing an IPS before