Postal and courier scams

With online shopping at an all-time high across Australia, parcel deliveries have become more frequent. Postal and courier scams are one way that criminals have taken advantage of this uptick in online shopping.

If you shop online, it’s important to learn how to recognise these deceptive schemes. Here are some tips to help you stay safe.

What do postal and courier scams look like?

Postal and courier scams come in various guises. While you'll find most of them in SMS messages and emails, there are other forms of communication you need to watch out for as well.

SMS scams

Typically, SMS scams pose as official messages that notify you of unresolved delivery issues or outstanding fees. If you click on the link in the message, it will lead you to a fake website. Once you’re on the fake site, the scammer will try to collect your financial and personal information.

Email scams

Scammers also use emails claiming that you owe delivery fees or need to provide more details to complete the delivery. As with the SMS messages, the links in the email will lead to spoofed websites designed to collect financial and personal information.

Many of these scam emails use official logos, copied and pasted into the email. Even more deceptive, the URLs in the links are often similar to those on official websites.

Other types of postal and courier scams

Some scammers opt for other forms of communication with their intended victims. They may communicate with you through notifications on messaging platforms, private messages on social media, and even phone calls to steal your credit card or bank information.

Why are these scams so effective?

Scammers play on the trust factor and on their targets’ busy lives to keep them from scrutinising communications that appear to be from legitimate postal and courier services. From URLs and email addresses that mimic official ones to stealing the official logo to use on emails, these scammers know that some people won’t take the time to check.

Look for these red flags

When you receive an SMS, email, or other communication from what appears to be an official postal or courier service, take a moment to look it over for signs that it may be fake. If you’re busy, it may be best to wait before opening it.

When you do have the time to do a thorough check, look out for the following red flags:

• Suspicious links: Double-check email addresses and links for spelling or word order deviations from official communications. Even if the links or emails contain official postal and courier service names within them, double-check them against official communications. If in doubt, contact your postal or courier service directly.

• Grammar or spelling mistakes: Look for odd phrasing or spelling errors. Hurriedly prepared or poorly translated communication is common in scams.

• Urgent requests: Scammers often ask their victims to confirm their postcodes or reschedule their delivery dates within a tight time frame. If you see such a request, don’t reply. Instead, report it to your postal or courier service.

• Random phone numbers: If you don’t recognise the phone number, it’s likely a scam. Often, scammers impersonate official postal and courier representatives. If you have an outstanding order that hasn’t arrived, contact your postal or courier service directly.

• Common phrases scammers use: SMS, phone calls, and email scams often play on the fears and hopes of their victims. Expressions like ‘tracking your parcel’ or 'collect your prize' trigger a customer’s fear of losing a parcel or their hope that they might have won something valuable.

Follow these steps to stay safe

Delivery scams can trick even the most alert online shoppers. In addition to being aware of the red flags, take the following steps to protect yourself from these schemes.

• Use the official app: Always download the official app for your postal or courier service if available. Enable in-app notifications to receive official tracking and delivery updates. Having official communications about each shipment can help you identify any attempt to trick you through fake notifications.

• Never click on suspicious links: If something looks or seems off in an email or SMS message, it's likely to be a scam. Instead, report the link or sender to your postal or courier service.

• Don’t open unsolicited emails with attachments: Scammers often embed attachments with malware that can steal your personal information, including passwords and financial data. Delete any email that’s not from a trusted sender.

• Always verify the sender: If you have even the slightest doubt about the sender, check with your postal or courier service directly. Official websites and mobile apps should provide contact information where you can get in touch with representatives to check on suspected scams.

• Update your devices’ security software: Scammers often exploit security vulnerabilities on both desktop and mobile devices. Make sure that you regularly update your security software and operating systems to protect yourself from scams and malware.

• Protect vulnerable loved ones: Scammers often target senior citizens. With retirement income from savings and a lack of technological proficiency, older Australians number among the most frequent victims of scams. Educate your loved ones about common delivery scams and give them the tools to report suspicious messages to the proper authorities.

Stay vigilant to stay safe

Spreading awareness is the first step in stopping the spread of these deceptive schemes. ScamWatch is an excellent resource for discovering how to best protect yourself from the latest scams or to report a possible scam. Visit ScamWatch to learn more.