Nashville, TN – If you have an incarcerated family member or friend, sending a package is a way to show you care. But do your research beforehand. BBB Scam Tracker has gotten several reports of fake inmate care package services targeting people online.
You find a website that offers to send care packages to inmates. The website looks professional and allows you to specify the prison or facility, as well as the inmate’s name. You add items to your cart and place your order.
However, when it’s time to make a payment, you may notice some strange instructions. Many fake care package sites claim they currently don’t or can’t take credit card payments. Instead, you’re asked to make a payment via a third-party app, such as PayPal, Zelle, or CashApp.
One victim told BBB that they spent more than $130 on a care package that didn’t exist: “I purchased a package for my fiancé whom is in prison… I used my cash app. It requested I send proof of purchase. Which I sent! I tried emailing the company several times about my purchase and they haven’t responded at all!”
How to spot these scams:
- Understand the laws around care packages. Prisons have strict rules…
