How does the BHL parcel shipping scam work? What should you do if you receive this email? How can you avoid becoming a victim of this scam?
What Is the BHL Parcel Shipping Scam?
A BHL parcel shipping scam is an email phishing scam where scammers send a false shipping alert that appears to be from the BHL parcel shipping service.
The scammers attempt to link the scam to DHL, a company that provides courier, package delivery, and express mail services. They do this by adding a logo that is similar, but not identical, to DHL’s logo. The color scheme in the email and web design mirrors the same company’s style, making the victims believe it’s official.
The scam email states that the users’ shipment was halted due to the incorrect address, as nobody was available at the address to receive the parcel. They are told to confirm the address for the package to be delivered to. In rare cases, the user may also be asked to pay an additional fee to receive their parcels.
The cybercriminals behind this scam email embed a link in the email, directing victims to click and submit information, which in fact, is bait designed to entice victims. When users click on the embedded link, the scam begins.
We now know what this scam is, but how does it work?
How Does the BHL Parcel Shipping Scam Work
The scam can take a variety of forms, but it’s most often works as follows:
In scam emails telling users to confirm their address, there is a link provided that takes victims to a phishing website that tracks the information they add. Every bit of information users enter there is exploited by scammers. Another common ploy scammers may use to trap victims is asking their targets for an additional delivery fee. When users click the embedded link, they are taken to a website where they are asked to make an extra payment. While scammers usually demand minimal payments, all they want is your credit card details.
How to Spot the BHL Parcel Shipping Scam
Pay close attention to the logo scammers have included in the email. If it reads “BHL” instead of “DHL,” you should already be sure it’s a scam.
If that’s still not enough to convince you, then perform the following checks:
Are you (or any of your family members ordering packages using your email address) expecting a DHL delivery? If not, it’s a scam. Take a look at the email address you received the message from. Does it have the “@bhl” or “@dhl” domain? Does the email address match the one you usually receive emails about parcel delivery from? If not, it’s not an official alert. Can you find your name, address, invoice, or other information about your parcel delivery order in the email? If not, it’s the scammers that are luring you in. If you have ordered from the shipping service, ensure the tracking number matches the one you received from the company earlier. If it differs, you’re being tricked. Did you already pay service charges for the parcel delivery to DHL? If so, contact the company’s customer service department to determine whether they’re requesting additional charges. Have you received deliveries from the DHL shipping service before? If so, your correct address is already in the system; why would they ask for another one?
How to Avoid the BHL Parcel Shipping Scam
If you’re certain the shipping alert you received is a phishing scam email from cybercriminals, avoid it at all costs. Simply delete it.
Don’t click on the link embedded in the email that scammers are asking you to click on to confirm your address or make the payment. If you’ve clicked on it already, don’t enter any personal information you’re told to on a website, and use your antivirus suite to perform a scan in case you’ve accidentally downloaded malware too.
Also, do not call any of the numbers listed in the email. If your email contains an attachment that scammers may pretend is an invoice related to your parcel order, do not download or open it. Moreover, don’t respond to scammers if they request personal information.
Most importantly, block the email address from which you received this phishing scam email to avoid receiving similar messages in the future.
Did You Fall for the BHL Parcel Shipping Scam? Here’s What to Do Next
So what happens if you’ve fallen for a phishing scam? If the BHL parcel shipping scammers have scammed you, what you should do depends on how deep the scam went.
If you just clicked the embedded link and landed on the scammer’s webpage, you should be safe. Don’t add anything on the landing page, and scan your computer for viruses, if necessary.
Did you enter any personal information on the page you landed on after clicking the embedded link, such as bank details? If so, call your bank and freeze your account immediately to prevent scammers from abusing your credit card information.
Have you made any payments to the scammers’ account in the name of extra delivery charges? Contact your bank and ask for a refund before it’s too late. Moreover, if you’ve downloaded any attachments from the email, delete them.
While the above tips will help you avoid potential harm, if you have exposed any essential personal information, such as your social security number, you should report the incident to relevant authorities to be on the safe side.
Moreover, keep an eye out for any other traps scammers might have laid for you. Be sure to protect your online identity at all costs.
Beware of the BHL Parcel Shipping Scam
Phishing scammers often get too creative with their scams. Hopefully, with a bit of knowledge about the BHL parcel shipping scam, you’ll be ready to avoid being scammed.
If you have already been a victim of it, these tips will allow you to minimize the damage. Furthermore, be aware of the other signs of phishing scams to avoid falling victim to them.
