Guilford County, NC – Residents across Guilford County are being warned today about a rising holiday-season scam involving fake package-shipment alerts sent by text message. With Black Friday approaching, deputies say scammers are increasingly targeting shoppers with fraudulent tracking notifications designed to trick people into clicking malicious links.
According to the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, the fake messages often claim, “Your order has shipped,” even when the recipient hasn’t purchased anything. Officials said the goal is to lure residents onto imitation retailer sites where criminals can steal personal information, passwords, or financial details.
Deputies urged shoppers to slow down and verify any unexpected delivery alert, especially during the busy Thanksgiving-to-Cyber Monday shopping window. Residents should double-check the sender information, avoid clicking unknown links, and compare the message with their actual order history. If the text refers to a shipment you don’t recognize, officials say it’s very likely a scam.
Law enforcement noted that fraudsters typically ramp up these types of SMS scams during major shopping periods when consumers expect to receive multiple delivery notifications. The Sheriff’s Office is encouraging people to visit their official website for guidance on spotting fake tracking links and reporting suspicious messages.
As holiday shopping intensifies this week, deputies are reminding residents to rely on official retailer apps, legitimate tracking pages, or direct email confirmations when checking order status.
Residents who receive suspicious texts or believe they may have clicked a fraudulent link can contact the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office or submit a report through local consumer protection resources.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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