Money
Stop! The Australia Post scams to spot before it's too late
The sneaky scammers posing as Australia Post are getting more creative. Here’s how to protect yourself.
By Maddie Southall
The digital age is fantastic for so many reasons – we can stay in touch with our loved ones easier and can get things done faster and better. But with better technology, comes more sophisticated scams.
Right now there are a few scams circulating, claiming to be Australia Post using fake emails and texts that look very convincing. The most important thing to remember is that Australia Post will never contact you asking for personal or financial information, so when you’re in doubt, don’t click any links and don’t give any details.
It’s a spooky thought that scammers can reach you in the palm of your hand, but here are the best ways to spot these scams to protect yourself and your funds.
How the scams work
These scams work by luring you into clicking on links in order to resolve fake “delivery issues” or “delivery fees”. The links then lead to fake Australia Post websites designed to steal your personal and financial information.
Scammers often use the Australia Post logo and create email addresses that closely resemble official ones to make their emails appear more legit. It’s very sneaky and can throw even very scam-aware people off their guard.
How to spot Australia Post email scams
Scammers are getting clever with their wording, but there are specific red flags you can look out for. Recently, there has been a spike in emails urging you to “Schedule Redelivery” to stop a package from being returned to the sender.
Other common subject lines or buttons might urge you to “Correct Address” or “Schedule Delivery”.
The goal of these emails is almost always to steal your personal information or payment card details. If you see any variation of this messaging, especially if you aren’t expecting a parcel, it is likely a scam. Do not click on the link and do not supply your address or card information.
How to spot Australia Post text scams
The text message scams have a similar strategy, but can be even trickier because they land right in your personal messages. Be on high alert for messages asking you to “arrange a new delivery date now”, often claiming that the package requires a signature. The real Australian Post already has your address and delivery date if you have a package on the way – you will not be asked to supply this again.
Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency or confusion. Common phrases to watch out for include:
- “Update your correct address”
- “Confirm your address”
- “Shipment has been suspended due to missing house number”
- “Incomplete updates will be returned to the sender”
Recommended action: If you receive one of these texts, never reply and definitely do not click the link. Instead, take a screenshot of the message and email it to scams@auspost.com.au It is also worth reporting the sender as junk or spam through your phone’s messaging settings (Apple or Google).
Here’s how to spot other types of SMS scams.
Get the Australia Post app for extra protection
Australia Post recommends getting their app to be certain that the notifications you are receiving are legit. Having the app won’t stop fraudulent texts or emails coming through, but it will assure you that any in-app notifications that you receive inside the app are the real deal.
Also, you can just open the app of your own accord and check on the progress of your delivery at any time. This can be a good precaution to take if you order packages to be delivered.
You can read more about the Australia Post app here.
Protect yourself by fraudproofing your online shopping.
Report fraudulent behaviour to keep others safe
If you spot something suspicious, you can help protect others by reporting it.
Whether it’s a dodgy email, a fake invoice, or a text message claiming to be from Australia Post, forward it or send a screenshot to scams@auspost.com.au so their team can investigate.
Important: This mailbox is for reporting scams only (not for general customer service).
Remember: Do NOT click on any unexpected links or open any attachments. Once you have reported the message, delete it immediately.
What to do if you have been scammed
First of all, sorry that this is happening to you, please know that there are resources to help.
Visit Scamwatch for more information on other types of scams and how to get support. Worried about family members? There is also great information through Scamwatch on how to talk to family about scam prevention.
Feature image: iStock/Yuliya Taba
This article contains general information only. It is not financial advice and is not intended to influence readers’ decisions about any financial products or investments. Readers’ personal circumstances have not been taken into account and they should always seek their own professional financial and taxation advice that takes into account their financial circumstances, objectives and needs.
Tell us in the comments below: Have you ever fallen for an Aussie Post scam? How did it work out for you?
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