UPS delivery gone wrong—think twice before answering that knock!
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Imagine the surprise of receiving an unexpected package on your doorstep, only to discover it's part of a chilling scam that could threaten your identity and safety.
This isn't a plot from a suspense novel–it's a real-life cautionary tale that recently unfolded for one unsuspecting woman, and it's a scenario that could happen to any of us.
The Unsettling Encounter
Sonya Brown's ordinary day took a turn for the bizarre when she was roused from her slumber by a UPS delivery man.
Clad in her bathrobe, she signed for a package without a second thought. It was addressed to her, but the phone number on the label was a mystery.
Little did she know, this was the beginning of a harrowing ordeal.
Upon investigating, Brown discovered that someone had fraudulently opened a Verizon account in her name and purchased phones.
As she was on the phone with the police to report the identity theft, an unexpected knock at the door sent her instincts into high alert.
Two women were outside, and Brown's gut told her not to answer. Peering through her doorbell camera, she witnessed a shocking conversation where one woman claimed to be “Sonya” and mentioned the UPS package.
The brazen duo even returned two hours later, persistently knocking, but Brown refused to open the door.
She later shared her story to alert her community in Louisville, Kentucky, about this new, devious tactic.
In earlier news: USPS cuts popular program and customers are furious over late bills and fees!
A Warning from Authorities
The incident prompted a stern warning from Scott County, Indiana Sheriff Jerry Goodin.
He advised that many deliveries include confirmation numbers, and scammers often time their schemes to intercept packages before the rightful recipient can claim them.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) also chimed in, with Whitney Adkins emphasizing the gravity of someone attempting to open an account in your name. It's a clear sign that your personal information has been compromised.
Police are investigating the incident, and the fraudulently purchased phones have been seized. Meanwhile, UPS has yet to comment on the situation.
Protecting Yourself from Mail Theft
In light of such events, it's crucial to take proactive steps to safeguard your mail and packages. The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) offers several recommendations:
1. Don't let mail linger in your mailbox. Check and remove it daily.
2. Use tracking services for package deliveries and sign up for alerts to monitor their arrival.
3. If you won't be home, ask a neighbor you trust to collect your mail or have it held at the Post Office.
4. For extended absences, request the Post Office to hold your mail via their online service.
5. If you're expecting valuable mail like checks and they don't arrive, contact the issuer immediately.
6. Keep your address current with the Post Office and businesses to prevent misdirected mail.
7. For outgoing mail, hand it directly to your letter carrier or drop it off inside your local Post Office.
Source: WHAS11 / Youtube.
We encourage you to share this information with friends and family, especially those who may not be as tech-savvy. Discussing these issues can help build a community that looks out for one another.
Read next: USPS reveals the truth about undelivered packages and why some customers are left in limbo
Have you ever experienced a similar situation, or do you have additional tips for keeping your deliveries safe? We'd love to hear your stories and advice in the comments below!
This isn't a plot from a suspense novel–it's a real-life cautionary tale that recently unfolded for one unsuspecting woman, and it's a scenario that could happen to any of us.
The Unsettling Encounter
Sonya Brown's ordinary day took a turn for the bizarre when she was roused from her slumber by a UPS delivery man.
Clad in her bathrobe, she signed for a package without a second thought. It was addressed to her, but the phone number on the label was a mystery.
Little did she know, this was the beginning of a harrowing ordeal.
Upon investigating, Brown discovered that someone had fraudulently opened a Verizon account in her name and purchased phones.
Sonya Brown received an unexpected package delivered by UPS, which was part of an identity theft scam. Image source: CBS News / Youtube.
As she was on the phone with the police to report the identity theft, an unexpected knock at the door sent her instincts into high alert.
Two women were outside, and Brown's gut told her not to answer. Peering through her doorbell camera, she witnessed a shocking conversation where one woman claimed to be “Sonya” and mentioned the UPS package.
She later witnessed two women at her door attempting to retrieve the package, as captured by her doorbell camera. Image source: WHAS11 / Youtube.
The incident prompted warnings from the Better Business Bureau and law enforcement to be vigilant about mail deliveries and potential scams. Image source: WHAS11 / Youtube.
The brazen duo even returned two hours later, persistently knocking, but Brown refused to open the door.
She later shared her story to alert her community in Louisville, Kentucky, about this new, devious tactic.
In earlier news: USPS cuts popular program and customers are furious over late bills and fees!
A Warning from Authorities
The incident prompted a stern warning from Scott County, Indiana Sheriff Jerry Goodin.
He advised that many deliveries include confirmation numbers, and scammers often time their schemes to intercept packages before the rightful recipient can claim them.
The USPIS recommends several precautions to prevent mail theft, including promptly removing mail, tracking shipments, and securing mail during absences. Image source: WHAS11 / Youtube.
Sonya Brown, the victim of this scam. Image source: WHAS11 / Youtube.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) also chimed in, with Whitney Adkins emphasizing the gravity of someone attempting to open an account in your name. It's a clear sign that your personal information has been compromised.
Police are investigating the incident, and the fraudulently purchased phones have been seized. Meanwhile, UPS has yet to comment on the situation.
Protecting Yourself from Mail Theft
In light of such events, it's crucial to take proactive steps to safeguard your mail and packages. The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) offers several recommendations:
1. Don't let mail linger in your mailbox. Check and remove it daily.
2. Use tracking services for package deliveries and sign up for alerts to monitor their arrival.
3. If you won't be home, ask a neighbor you trust to collect your mail or have it held at the Post Office.
4. For extended absences, request the Post Office to hold your mail via their online service.
5. If you're expecting valuable mail like checks and they don't arrive, contact the issuer immediately.
6. Keep your address current with the Post Office and businesses to prevent misdirected mail.
7. For outgoing mail, hand it directly to your letter carrier or drop it off inside your local Post Office.
Source: WHAS11 / Youtube.
We encourage you to share this information with friends and family, especially those who may not be as tech-savvy. Discussing these issues can help build a community that looks out for one another.
Read next: USPS reveals the truth about undelivered packages and why some customers are left in limbo
Have you ever experienced a similar situation, or do you have additional tips for keeping your deliveries safe? We'd love to hear your stories and advice in the comments below!
