We all order things online.
So when a text pops up that says, "Your package was delayed due to an issue. Click this link to verify information so it doesn't get stalled," it is incredibly easy to fall for it.
You might be waiting for a birthday gift for a grandchild or a restock of your coffee.
The link is right there, glowing blue.
It would be so simple to just tap it and see what's wrong.
The problem in human terms
Scammers know that convenience is our biggest weakness.
They make the link look almost right, hoping you are too busy or too distracted to look closely.
Once you tap it, they have you exactly where they want you.
The plain-English translation
Links in these texts are the primary delivery vehicles for trouble.
Clicking them can direct you to a fake website designed to look exactly like your bank or the post office login screen.
3 Red Flags hidden in the link
[A quick note: I actually removed the links in the examples below so you wouldn't be tempted to click them, but the email system put them back in automatically because it thought it was being "helpful." Even when I try to practice what I preach, the technology sometimes has its own plan! LOL]
Weird Shorteners: The address looks like a random jumble of letters (like bit [dot] ly/x7k9).
Slight Misspellings: The link says something like "amaz0n [dot] com" instead of "amazon [dot] com".
No Secure Lock: A legitimate business will always have a secure website, but even then, a lock icon doesn't guarantee the sender is who they say they are.
The safest next step
If you are worried that a text alert might be real, here is your calm, safe workaround.
Never click the link provided in the text.
Instead, independently verify the claim.
Open your web browser yourself, manually type in the official website address of the company (like USPS or your bank), and log in there.
If there is a real problem with your package or your account, the official website will tell you.
Talk soon, Warren, Not Born Yesterday