Australia Post has issued an urgent warning to Australian shoppers to be extremely vigilant against a surge of sophisticated scams designed to exploit the busy Christmas shopping period. With pre-Christmas sales in full swing and millions of parcels in transit, criminals are capitalising on the anticipation and urgency surrounding deliveries to trick people into handing over sensitive information.
How the New Scams Target Online Sellers
The latest wave of fraudulent activity is specifically targeting users of online marketplaces, including Facebook. According to Adam Cartwright, Australia Post's chief information security officer, fraudsters are posing as potential buyers and contacting sellers via platforms like Messenger. They then send links or QR codes that direct victims to fake Australia Post courier service websites.
These deceptive sites falsely claim that payment must be processed online and that a courier will subsequently collect the item. In reality, their sole purpose is to steal personal and financial information from unsuspecting victims.
Alarming Statistics and Sophisticated Tactics
New research from Australia Post reveals the scale of the problem, showing that more than 90 per cent of Australians have received a scam text or call. Even more concerning is that nearly three-quarters of these scams impersonate trusted shipping and parcel delivery services.
Australia Post CEO Paul Graham expressed deep concern about the increasing sophistication of these operations. He noted that scammers are expertly using trusted brands like Australia Post and are becoming highly advanced in how they present their fraudulent text or email messages.
The mail service is also highlighting a resurgence of complex phishing operations, including the global Dracula-Scheme. This criminal enterprise rents scam toolkits to other criminals, allowing them to mimic trusted delivery brands. By using encrypted messaging channels, these scams can bypass traditional security filters, making them significantly harder to detect and block.
How to Protect Yourself This Festive Season
Australia Post has provided clear guidance for customers to stay safe. The most critical advice is to ignore any message requesting personal or payment information. Instead, customers should track all parcels exclusively through the official Australia Post app.
Graham emphasised that Australia Post will never text, email, or call you to ask for personal details, request payment, or ask for your bank account information. He urged everyone to be cautious and to take a step back if they feel a sense of urgency from a message. Carefully examine the communication, think about the questions being asked, and if in any doubt whatsoever, hang up or do not click.
This warning comes as Australians are expected to spend a massive $6.8 billion in online sales during the Black Friday and Christmas period. With criminals using fake ads and scam websites enhanced by artificial intelligence to appear more convincing than ever, experts advise shoppers to check website URLs carefully, pay only with credit cards or PayPal for greater protection, and always verify deals through official stores before making a purchase.
