It started with a text.
In December 2022, as holiday package notifications flooded phones, Hilary Chapple, a Calgary woman living on disability payments, received what looked like a Canada Post message.
“You have a package waiting for delivery. Please confirm your address and pay the processing fee to release your parcel.”
“I thought it was a Christmas present,” she said. “My brother knows I’m short of money, so I thought he might be sending me money.”
The message included a link that appeared legitimate, and the website she saw after clicking it looked convincing too—complete with Canada Post colors, logos, and a tracking box. It asked for a small $1.25 processing fee to complete delivery and release the package.
Wanting to get her package quickly, Hilary entered her debit card details—name, number, expiration date, and security code—and clicked “Submit.” She then moved on with her day, eagerly waiting for her package to arrive.
The next morning, when she checked her account, almost $2,700 had been withdrawn. That’s when she realized she had been scammed.
Based on reporting by Global News.
Lessons Learned
The goal of this newsletter is to expose the tactics scammers use—so when they try them on you, you’ll recognize the red flags before it’s too late. Hilary’s story shows how easy it is for a simple, familiar action—clicking a delivery link—to lead to devastating loss.
Anyone can fall for it. Hilary wasn’t careless—she was expecting holiday packages and trusted what looked like a normal message. Scammers don’t rely on ignorance; they rely on timing, emotion, and routine.
Greed creates mistakes. In many online fraud cases, scammers target a victim’s greed—promising better returns in the market, a hot new crypto investment, or a big prize. But “greed” can also look like excitement over a surprise package or unexpected money.
Urgency creates mistakes. Fake delivery texts use short deadlines (“confirm now,” “final attempt”) to make you act before you think. The faster they can get you to click, the less time you have to notice the warning signs.
Small “processing fees” are bait. Scammers know a $1–$2 charge feels harmless. But those fake payment pages are designed to steal your full card details and drain your account within hours.
Double-check URLs. If you do visit a website, double-check the URL to make sure it’s not a fake version of the real one. Example: fedex. com is real; fedex-website. com is fake.
Never enter payment info from a link. If you’re unsure, go directly to the delivery company’s official website or app and check your tracking number there. Never use a link sent by text or email.
Slow it down. Scammers thrive on split-second reactions. If something feels off, pause before clicking. A single moment of hesitation can save thousands.
Assume all delivery texts are fake. Unfortunately, most “package delivery” text messages today are scams. The safest move is to ignore them completely. If you think a message might be real, contact the delivery company directly using the phone number found on its official website.
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