I got a call on my cell phone from FedEx (or so they said they were FexEx) to set up a time for delivery of a package. I asked them if they would deliver it tomorrow morning and they said that is fine, it should be here between 9 and 11. They told me the company sending the package is a company called Curma Properties and they spelled the name for me and everything.
After I hung up I got thinking about it and I am surprised they called me to set up a delivery. Usually they deliver something and either leave it on my doorstep or leave me a sticky note letting me know they tried to deliver it. Then, because I am curious like that, I did a search online for Curma Properties that returned 0 hits. Lots of stuff for Karma Properties but nothing under Curma. Then I did a reverse search for the phone number they called from and it is located in the Bronx but it isn’t registered to FedEx, it just shows as a landline with no name or address attached to it. I just called the number from a different phone and they answered it “Thank you for calling FedEx” but I am still kind of wondering why I wasn’t able to find any of the information for the number or the company who sent me the package online.
Now I am kind of wondering if they called to find out if I was available to receive a package just to see if I was at home so that they could break into my place. On the one hand I don’t know how they would have connected my phone number to my NY address because I still have a Dallas number, but on the other hand I am starting to wonder about the legitimacy of this package. Breaking into my place would be difficult though because I have a security door downstairs, security cameras in the courtyard of my building, and nosy elderly neighbors who don’t work during the day to keep an eye on that kind of stuff, but it isn’t outside the realm of possibility.
Has FedEx ever called anyone else to set up a delivery time? Has anyone here ever heard of Curma Properties? Am I going to go home to find nothing but dirty laundry left in my apartment?
That does sound odd. I’ve never gotten a call from FedEx; like you, I’ve gotten notes about missed delivery, etc.
What happened to you sounds similar to this scam on Snopes, so stay wary. At any rate, do not agree to pay any delivery fees to anyone who shows up, assuming anyone does.
If someone shows up in anything other than a bona fide FedEx truck, extend them the courtesy of holding them at gunpoint for your friendly neighborhood LEO.
On FedEx’s website, they have a page devoted to fraud. It’s focused on email fraud, but the setup you describe sounds like the preliminary stage before you’ll be asked for personal information or for money.
This makes me feel a bit better, and my hope is that they called because it is freaking christmas and they don’t want to waste their employee’s time by sending them to deliver stuff when I am not there. I will call that FedEx number and ask them about it just to ease my mind and I will NOT pay a dime for anything.
I will check back in after I hear what FedEx has to say.
I called FedEx at 1.800.463.3339 and they have no record of a package being sent to me at all.
Now the next question is what do I do when they show up tomorrow to deliver my package? Should I call the police or will they have better things to do than deal with this kind of scam?
I’d call the police at this point. Make sure you tell them that somebody identified themselves as a FedEx delivery person and you’ve verified with FedEx that they’re lying and give them the phone numbers.
Both FEDEX and UPS will sometimes call to verify that you’ll be home to take delivery of a package. This is normal if the package is COD, requires a signature or the package was insured. The thing that’s probably happening with you is that you’re getting a call from the Distribution Center which will be local to you. Unless you provided the tracking number I wouldn’t put much stock in anything the monkey who answered the phone at the 1-800 number said.
If you’ve ordered anything froma private individual such as through E-Bay, the shipper could show up as anything. While anyone will recognize say Kinko as a fedex shipper, you probably wont recognize Anne’s Notions (a authorized Fedex Shipper/drop point I occasionally used). A smallish company may ship that way as well.
My family is sending my packages to my office. My friends might send me a package but it would be from Hayley or Nicky or Ali or whoever, not Curma Properties.
FWIW, ReferenceUSA (a business research database) also does not list any business named “Curma”-anything. Anywhere. Three listings for "Curman"s and one for a “Curmaci,” oddly enough, all dentists.
This is not a perfect indication, as ReferenceUSA bases its data on yellow pages ads, but still.
I’d definitely try to get the police involved. Better safe than sorry.
I would call the cops, NOW, and have them lie in waiting. If I were them, I would jump at this chance. It is a very easy and comfortable way for them to make an arrest, an arrest of a scammer who could easily, if unapprehended, scam the life savings out of dozens of people.
Call them again and say that it turns out you won’t be around tomorrow. Then ask if you can have their address so that you can pick up the package in person. Their reaction may help you determine if they’re legit or not.