How do I know if a shipping company is legit? (2023)

Are there fake shipping companies?

Periodically, we come across shipping scams by fraudulent people or firms impersonating freight forwarders and shipping lines. Of course, these fraudsters and scams come in various forms, mainly by those using a similar or duplicate name or those creating a fake website to attract shippers and impor...

How can you tell if a tracking number is legit?

Every tracking number is unique and should match the one you received in a confirmation email. If it doesn't appear in a search, it's a bogus number. Your delivery date was earlier than when you placed an order. USPS scams can involve real tracking numbers.

How do you not get scammed when shipping?

How do I know if a merchant is legitimate?

How to Avoid Fraudulent Merchant Scams: Carefully research your merchant services provider before signing up or handing over any money. Look at consumer reviews and testimonials, and see if you can find information like the number of years in business.

What is the most trusted shipping company?

Can a FedEx delivery be faked?

Threat prevention experts warn that shoppers expecting package deliveries from top shipping companies such as FedEx, Amazon and UPS could be subject to fake delivery notices.

How can you tell fake packaging?

Poor Quality Product or Packaging

Beware flimsy packaging, packaging with substandard printing or running colors, or packages that appear to have been opened. In addition, take a moment to actually read the package. Spelling or grammatical errors are common on the packaging for counterfeit goods.

Can UPS tracking be faked?

If you are browsing online for shopping deals, make sure you check out the websites before purchasing. Scammers are using phony UPS and FedEx tracking numbers to fool shoppers into thinking their package is on the way, according to recent BBB Scam Tracker reports.

What does a real USPS tracking number look like?

Here's what USPS tracking numbers look like: USPS Tracking: 9400 1000 0000 0000 0000 00. Priority Mail: 9205 5000 0000 0000 0000 00. Certified Mail: 9407 3000 0000 0000 0000 00.

Can tracking numbers be wrong?

This is a known issue with the USPS. There are a couple of reasons that a USPS tracking number might reflect a Delivered status, even though you just generated a label or shipped the package. The USPS may have assigned a recycled tracking number to your shipment or the USPS scanned the shipment incorrectly.

Can you get a refund if you get scammed?

Contact your bank immediately to let them know what's happened and ask if you can get a refund. Most banks should reimburse you if you've transferred money to someone because of a scam.

What is the most common way to get scammed?

How do you know if a seller is scamming you?

Check to see if the image used to show the item is being used on other listings as well, or if it's a stock image from the web. If it is, and the seller is unwilling to send other photos or information about the item, it could be a scam and should be avoided. Compare the price to other similar items.

How do I know if a transaction is safe?

Which is safer USPS or FedEx?

Is FedEx or USPS more reliable? FedEx has a better reputation for reliability, in addition to its tracking and customer service. There's a price you pay for that, though, and the price is a higher cost. FedEx is also a more reliable shipping partner for specific types of shipments.

What is the safest mailing service?

Registered Mail is the most secure method the Postal Service offers. Registered Mail is designed to provide added protection for Valuable Mail.

What are the three main shipping companies?

Visualizing the World's Largest Container Shipping Companies

At an industry level, container shipping is dominated by several very large firms. This includes Maersk, COSCO Shipping, and Evergreen. If you live along the coast, you've probably seen ships or containers with these names painted on them.

What makes a FedEx package suspicious?

A suspicious package is a mail item of unknown contents which can potentially cause injury or destruction or is designed to appear threatening in nature.

What if FedEx steals package?

What to do if your package is stolen: File a claim. Our form makes it easy to send essential info and upload supporting docs/photos. And you can track the status of your claim online.

How does FedEx prove they delivered a package?

Go to FedEx Tracking, enter your 12-digit tracking number and click "Track". Click “OBTAIN PROOF OF DELIVERY”, enter the 9-digit shipper or payer FedEx account number associated with the shipment, then “view PDF”.

How do you check if an item is authentic?

The best way to check the authenticity of a product is to authenticate the product using its barcode number on the manufacturer's website. You can also register the product using the serial number.

What is the most common counterfeit item?

Can you sell fake bags if you say they are fake?

In the U.S., it's illegal for a person to sell counterfeit merchandise. Both state and federal laws prohibit this type of conduct. If you knowingly sell or intend to sell a fake item, you could be sentenced to years in prison and/or be ordered to pay steep fines.

Can USPS tracking be faked?

In some versions, the tracking number provided is completely fake. In other variations, the number is real and appears to work at first... until "your" item is delivered somewhere else. Either way, the outcome is the same.

What happens if UPS driver steals package?

Contacting the sender will allow them to start a trace process at UPS. It is also an excellent first step for potentially getting a refund or replacement. According to the previously mentioned 2020 study, 81% of package theft victims could receive a refund for the missing delivery.

What if UPS steals my package?

Generally, UPS will not reimburse a consumer if the package was delivered to a residence and then stolen. It will work with both the sender and the purchaser, as well as, law enforcement for a given claim. However, UPS will not issue a refund unless there's proof that it was responsible.

What is a valid USPS tracking number?

Most domestic USPS tracking numbers are 22 digits and begin with the number 9. Be aware that international packages will be slightly different.

Can I scan a USPS tracking number?

USPS provides a QR code that can be used to track any package that is sent by the USPS. You can scan this code at any time, and it will tell you the location of your package. You will also be able to receive notifications when your package has been delivered or has been received.

What does USPS tracking numbers usually start with?

Most domestic services (USPS Priority Mail, for instance) come with tracking numbers starting with a set of numbers, such as 9400. On the other hand, USPS international tracking numbers begin with a combination of letters.

What to do if tracking number says delivered but no package?

What is misleading tracking?

What are “misleading" tracking numbers? Misleading tracking numbers are defined as tracking numbers that are intentionally inaccurate. Wish customers and the Wish platform are misled to believe these orders to be delivered or shipped when they are not.

Why is USPS tracking always wrong?

There are a couple of reasons that a USPS tracking number might display a Delivered status, even though you just generated a label or shipped the package. It could be either the USPS assigned a repeated tracking number to your shipment or the USPS scanned the shipment incorrectly.

What happens if you think you've been scammed?

Report the scam to the FTC online, or by phone at 1-877-382-4357 (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, ET). The FTC accepts complaints about most scams, including these popular ones: Phone calls. Emails.

What if I just got scammed?

Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.

What happens if you lie to get a refund?

Lying on your tax returns can result in fines and penalties from the IRS, and can even result in jail time.

What does a scammer need from you?

What they want are account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, and other confidential information that they can use to loot your checking account or run up bills on your credit cards. Identity thieves can take out loans or obtain credit cards and even driver's licenses in your name.

Who gets scammed the most?

Most Common Scams by Age

Americans ages 18-24 fell victim to fake check and money order scams, most whereas Americans 65 and older were most commonly victims of tech support scams.

What happens if you text a scammer back?

Directly replying to a spam text message lets a spammer know that your number is genuine. What happens next They can sell your phone number to other spammers who might bombard you with false promises of free gifts and product offers. Instead, it's best to block and report the number.

How do you investigate a scammer?

Contact the FBI at (202) 324-3000, or online at www.fbi.gov or tips.fbi.gov. Contact the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS, or online at www.oig.hhs.gov.

What is the safest way to get paid when selling online?

Besides cash, a certified check is the safest way you can receive a payment to your business.

Can a UPS delivery be faked?

Threat prevention experts warn that shoppers expecting package deliveries from top shipping companies such as FedEx, Amazon and UPS could be subject to fake delivery notices.

What makes a package suspicious USPS?

Items of unusual weight relative to their size, or that are lopsided or oddly shaped. Items which are sealed with excessive amounts of tape. An item containing a postmark which does not match the return address or bears an excessive amount of postage. Mailpiece is leaking an unknown powdery substance.

Does USPS actually look for lost packages?

The Postal Service™ will attempt to find and return your lost item(s), but submitting a search does not guarantee a successful outcome. We will return any mail piece from which we can locate a good address or match with an official search request.

Can USPS open suspicious packages?

If there is probable cause to believe the contents of a First-Class letter or parcel violate federal law, Postal Inspectors can obtain a search warrant to open the mail piece. Other classes of mail do not contain private correspondence and therefore may be opened without a warrant.

What is UPS suspicious package?

Overview. A suspicious package is a mail item of unknown contents which can potentially cause injury or destruction or is designed to appear threatening in nature.

How does UPS prove they delivered a package?

To request Proof of Delivery: Locate the relevant tracking number in the Shipment Details table. Select the tracking number link to go to the Shipment Detail page. Select the Proof of Delivery link to get a printable version of the Proof of Delivery.