‘Is this legit?’: Australia Post customers confused by scam text
Australia Post is warning customers to be wary of an SMS scam that asks the recipient to hand over their bank details in order to retrieve a ‘detained package’.
Some Aussies have received texts from what appears to be from Australia Post that advise customers of a “package detained in terminal”.
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In order to release the ‘detained package’, the alert asks for payment – but the links aren’t real.
“Please do not click any links or make any payments,” Australia Post said.
SCAM ALERT: An SMS scam claiming to be from Australia Post is asking customers for payment to release a package ‘detained in terminal’. Please do not click any links or make any payments. Learn more: https://t.co/XWbcjEhJoi pic.twitter.com/bAjuzUHQpI
— Australia Post (@auspost) August 7, 2019
The message looks deceptively real, and sports the red logo of Australia Post, prompting confused Australians to ask Australia Post about the scam over social media.
@auspost how do I know if this is legit? pic.twitter.com/JalyFh28hX
— Lisa Fiorentino (@missfio) August 7, 2019
@auspost I’m expecting a parcel that is a bit overdue. I’ve just received a text message from your normal sms notification number saying there is $1 to pay. The link is yourtimeto dot com. Is this legitimate? It looks more than a bit dodgy.
— Charles 🇳🇱🇸🇷🇦🇺 (@elbisivni) August 7, 2019
“This SMS has not come from Australia Post and is a phishing scam,” Australia Post said in response to Lisa Fiorentino.
“Please do not click any links or make any payments. Australia Post will never contact you via SMS asking for your personal information, financial information, or to make a payment.”
Cyber criminals are also using sophisticated technology to make the text appear on devices as though it was sent from Australia Post.
I just got this message - from YOUR SMS number. How could they hack you??? https://t.co/nxNn6qGcpE
— The Mole (@9_Moley) August 7, 2019
In fact, the scam texts appear in the same conversation thread as messages sent from the real Australia Post.
It appears legitimate as the message received displays from AusPost, where previous legitimate parcel updates have been sent. Also, while I’ve never heard of a $1 customs fee, they do hold packages & require payments regularly. There was also a similar competition previously. pic.twitter.com/6BLBDOUbzK
— Amanda (@mandalilli) August 7, 2019
I just got a text from @auspost which took me to this. Pretty next level scam.... unless I actually did win a phone ? pic.twitter.com/EqlzonSIjh
— Ninah Kopel (@NinahKopel) August 7, 2019
In response to Ninah Kopel, Australia Post admitted that it had become “increasingly difficult” to prevent such scams.
Hi Ninah,
It's actually a scam. Due to the way mobile phones combine conversations these scams can appear in the same conversation view as legitimate Australia Post SMS messages. We are doing what we can to prevent such scams but it is becoming increasingly difficult.
~Billie— Australia Post (@auspost) August 7, 2019
I got a similar text from Australia Post. Is it real?
There are a few ways to know whether a message you’ve received from the postal services network is real or a dud:
Australia Post will never send an email or text asking you to click on a link to print out a receipt or label for parcel collection or parcel tracking in order to access your package;
Australia Post will never ask you to send an email with your personal or financial information, such as your ID, passwords, credit card details, or account details.
Scams should be reported to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam.
Australia Post indicated they were aware of the scams.
Hi Luke,
You can report any sms scam to Scamwatch at https://t.co/U5QJg3CLyg.
Our team are already working with the relevant authorities to have it removed, however these things often take time.
~Billie— Australia Post (@auspost) August 7, 2019
“Our team are already working with the relevant authorities to have it removed, however these things often take time,” an Australia Post representative said.
Australia Post a common target for scammers
Australia Post has been no stranger to attempts by cyber criminals to pass off as the postal services network.
In a separate scam, Aussies have been hit by text messages that advise the recipient a parcel will be delivered to them, and includes a link to view parcel details.
“The links lead to various scam websites and should not be trusted,” Australia Post said on their website.
“The scammers will direct you to a ‘reward’ which asks for your banking information. Please do not provide your banking information – this is how scammers can take money from your accounts.”
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