TL;DR: Purolator says it will never ask for credit card, banking or account information by email or text. Its fraud page also lists retail return fraud, fraudulent claims, job scams and tracking-number scams. Report to Purolator on 1-888-744-7123 or forward texts to 7726.
Purolator is one of Canada's largest couriers, so its name shows up often in fake delivery texts. Its fraud awareness page is more detailed than most and covers scams that go well beyond the missed-parcel text, including ones aimed at people who sell online.
What Purolator says it never does
Purolator states it "will never ask for credit card, banking or account information via email or text message." If a message that claims to be Purolator asks for any of these, it is not consistent with that statement.
The scams Purolator lists
Its page groups the fraud it sees into several categories:
- Fraudsters demanding payment for a parcel or fee.
- Retail return fraud, aimed at online sellers.
- Fraudulent claims for lost or damaged goods.
- Job-related scams using the company name.
- Tracking number scams (Purolator refers to them as FTID scams).
Red flags on Purolator's own list
Purolator points to these warning signs:
- Claims that you owe an outstanding balance for a transaction you never made.
- Unbranded messages with suspicious URLs.
- Non-business or personal email addresses.
- False urgency and threats.
- Misspelled company names or domains in fake websites.
How to report it
Purolator provides the phone number 1-888-744-7123 for reporting suspicious communications and says text messages can be forwarded to 7726, the standard spam reporting number. For fraudulent claims, it asks you to send details including the claim ID, receipts, photos, tracking numbers, communication records and a description of the issue.
If you sell online
The return and claim fraud on Purolator's list is a reminder that scams do not only target receivers. Sellers can be sent fake claims or forged tracking numbers, so check every claim against your own shipping records and refuse to act on a request that arrives only by text or personal email.
If you clicked or paid
Phone your bank or card issuer immediately and ask them to block the card. Change any password you typed, and be wary of a caller who says they are from your bank or from Purolator following up on the message.
For another Canadian courier's rules, read the Canada Post delivery text scam guide, and compare the FedEx delivery text scam guide for how a US carrier frames it.
Protect your credit file in Canada
If you shared personal details, contact Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada about a fraud alert, and report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 so there is a record if you lose money.
A free digital footprint check shows what a scammer could already find using your phone number or email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Purolator ask for card details by text?
Purolator says it will never ask for credit card, banking or account information by email or text message.
How do I report a Purolator scam?
Purolator lists the phone number 1-888-744-7123 for reporting, and says you can forward texts to 7726.
What types of fraud does Purolator warn about?
Its page lists demands for payment, retail return fraud, fraudulent claims, job-related scams and tracking number scams.
What red flags does Purolator list?
It lists outstanding balances for nonexistent transactions, unbranded messages with suspicious URLs, personal email addresses, false urgency and threats, and misspelled company names or domains.
What should sellers do about fake claims?
Purolator asks for the claim ID, receipts, photos, tracking numbers and communication records when you report a fraudulent claim.