Australia Post scam targeting online shoppers in Australia with text message

Crafty criminals have been targeting unsuspecting Australians with a tricky text message scam as online shopping booms during lockdown. 

According to the ACCC victims of the ‘parcel post’ scam receive an unsolicited email or text message from a scammer posing as Australia Post, FedEx or another delivery company. 

Messages contain a link either directing the customer to enter their personal details or prompts them to download malicious malware that sucks passwords, contacts and banking details from their phone.

Jayson Gali is the latest shopper to fall victim, after he received a text message notifying him his package could not be delivered, assuming it was legitimate.   

Jayson Gali fell victim to scammers after he clicked on a link from a scam AusPost text (pictured)

‘I clicked on the link, put my details in, card details in, went to pay the $3 they were asking for redelivery,’ he told 9News.

‘It was my bank that sent me an authorisation code, authorising a payment for 506 euros,’ Mr Gali added. 

Since August 21, Scamwatch received over 12,000 reports from Australians describing getting scam text messages about missed calls, voicemails or deliveries.

Texts usually ask recipients to tap on a link to download an app to track or organise a time for a delivery, manage a shipment that is ‘in transit’ or will be ‘delivered soon’ or ask for personal information to receive a package.  

Australians who are waiting for packages to be delivered are being targeted with scam text messages tricking them into entering personal information 

Scam text messages may also use the branding or logos associated with courier companies including links to cloned websites.

Scamwatch warns tapping the link may lead to a person unwittingly downloading malicious software to their phone and advises to delete the messages immediately. 

Australia post has also flagged fraudulent emails and text messages in circulation via its website, prompting customers to reschedule ‘missed’ deliveries using a link.

The postal service warns messages advise customers of a ‘pending delivery fee’ and can appear among a legitimate thread of texts from Australia Post.

Once clicked the link directs customers to a fraudulent website prompting recipients to enter personal information that can lead to scammers accessing bank records, and identity theft.

Aussies lost about $851 million to scammers in 2020 with $62.1 million linked to shopping scams according to the ACCC.

‘Last year, scam victims reported the biggest losses we have seen, but worse, we expect the real losses will be even higher, as many people don’t report these scams,’ ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said. 

Australia post (pictured) has warned customers of a text containing a ‘pending delivery fee’ and can appear among a legitimate thread of texts from the post service

Source: Daily Mail

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