“2/2 delivery attempts were made. Confirm your details, otherwise your item will be returned.” is the message that arrives via SMS on the cell phones of several users. There is also a link in the message that has no connection to the post.
Fraud behind the trustworthy facade of the postal service
The link contained in the SMS did not lead to the official Austrian Post website , but to a deceptively genuine copy. “atposts.xyz” was emblazoned in the address bar – an initial but easily overlooked warning signal.
The page informs about a failed delivery attempt. A tracking number for the alleged package is also listed. If you take a closer look here, you can see that two different tracking numbers are given. – A detail that could easily be overlooked, but upon closer inspection raises questions.
If you click on “Redelivery”, you will be asked to enter personal data. Name, address, email – all of this data is necessary to “receive the package correctly and on time”.
Alleged payment to the post office required
After entering the data you will receive a request to pay 1.22 euros. This fee allegedly applies if there is an incorrect delivery address and the package cannot therefore be delivered,
And again the site offers a simple solution: payment directly by credit card.
But stop! Every user should be suspicious here!
Dangerous deception: fraudsters in digital guise
The truth is shockingly simple: behind this text message there were no postal workers trying their best to deliver a package. They were fraudsters, digital thieves who were after one thing - personal and sensitive data. Data that they could misuse for criminal purposes, from identity theft to outright financial fraud or even subscription traps.
Protective measures: How you can protect yourself and others from this scam
If you receive such a text message, you should be careful. The first step: Don't click on the link. Instead, it is advisable to go to the delivery company's official website and enter the tracking number there, if available.
Many smartphones also offer the ability to report fraudulent messages. – An important step to protect not only yourself but also others.
And if you have already entered your data or even authorized payment via credit card? Do not hesitate to contact your credit card company immediately and have the card blocked. Acting quickly is the key to limiting damage.
Conclusion: Vigilance as a weapon against digital fraudsters
This SMS does not come from the post office. On the contrary, this is a brazen attempt at fraud that should act as a cautionary tale and remind us all of the importance of vigilance in the digital space. Fraudsters never sleep, and their methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated. It is up to us to be careful, recognize the signs and act accordingly. By staying informed and sharing our knowledge, we can combat this invisible enemy that creeps into our lives through a simple, deceptive text message. Be aware, stay safe.
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Also read: Fake news: no 13-year-old died in Neukölln police operation
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )