It is the middle of December. You have ordered gifts for your family. You are checking tracking numbers every few hours.
Suddenly, your phone buzzes.
"Evri: We attempted to deliver your parcel but no one was home. Please reschedule here: evri-missed-parcel-22.com"
Or perhaps:
"USPS: Your package is on hold due to an incomplete address. Update now to avoid return."
Your instinct is to panic and click. Don't do it.
This is the busiest time of the year for legitimate couriers, but it is also the "Super Bowl" for AI scammers. Here is how to tell the difference between a real notification and a bank-draining trap.
The "Redelivery Fee" Scam
The goal of these texts isn't to steal your package—it's to steal your credit card.
The link takes you to a website that looks exactly like Royal Mail, Evri, or USPS. It asks for a tiny "Redelivery Fee" (usually $1.99 or £2.50). You enter your card details to pay the small fee, and suddenly the scammers have your full billing information.
3 Ways to Spot the Fake
Scammers are using AI to write perfect English now, so you can't rely on bad grammar anymore. Look for these signs instead:
1. The URL is Wrong
Real couriers use short, clean domains (evri.com, usps.com, royalmail.com).
Scammers use long, messy domains with dashes:
- ❌
usps-tracking-update.com - ❌
royal-mail-reschedule-fee.net - ❌
evri-driver-status.com
Rule: If the URL has a hyphen (-) or extra words, it is likely a scam.
2. The Sender Number
Legitimate large couriers often send texts from a "Shortcode" (5-6 digits) or the Sender ID will just say "Evri" (letters).
Scammers use standard mobile phone numbers (e.g., +44 07... or +1 (555)...).
Rule: If a "corporate" text comes from a random mobile number, block it.
3. The Sense of Urgency
Scammers want you to act without thinking. They use phrases like:
- "Action Required Immediately"
- "Final Notice"
- "Return to Sender in 1 hour"
Real couriers are boring. They rarely threaten you.
How to Protect Your Family (Automatically)
You might be tech-savvy enough to spot these links, but are your parents? Is your partner?
It only takes one tired moment during the holiday rush to click the wrong link.
This is why we built Montiguard.
Montiguard is a privacy-first AI filter for iPhone. Unlike older blockers that only look for "Bad Numbers," Montiguard reads the context of the message. It knows that a text asking for a "Redelivery Fee" from a random mobile number is a scam, and it moves it to your Junk folder instantly.
New: The Holiday Family Shield
We know you are the "Tech Support" for your family. That’s why our latest update includes Family Sharing at no extra cost.
You can subscribe once and protect up to 6 family members (Parents, Kids, Partner).
- No credit cards needed on their phones.
- No complex setup.
- Zero data retention (we value your privacy).
Download Montiguard on the App Store
Stay safe, and enjoy your holidays (scam-free).
