In times of booming online shopping and ubiquitous package delivery, fraudsters have found a new way to target unsuspecting citizens. Supposedly harmless SMS messages about package pickup turn out to be a potentially dangerous scam. In this article we will show you how you can protect yourself from such digital traps.

One day you receive an SMS message on your cell phone that a package is ready for pickup. Supposedly a link leads to the pickup address or shipment tracking.

Screenshot: Warning about POST package SMS scam
Screenshot: Warning about POST package SMS scam

Postal package – fake SMS

In reality, this SMS is a trap. Criminals use this tactic to trick you into clicking on a malicious link that will either infect you with malware or take you to a fraudulent website.

The content reads: “PostAG: A package has arrived for you at our sorting center. Track your package [Link]”

Malicious programs and fraudulent websites: The tricks of the fraudsters

The fraudsters are after your personal data. Anyone who clicks on the link risks having their device infected with malware. This can be used to spy on personal information, passwords or even banking details.

In other cases, you will be redirected to a fake website that looks deceptively similar to the website of a real parcel service. There you will be asked to enter personal information or even make a payment to supposedly unlock the package.

How you can protect yourself


The best defense against such scams is vigilance and a healthy level of suspicion. If you receive a text message about a package that you are not sure is genuine, check the following:

  1. Have you actually ordered something that hasn't been delivered yet?
  2. Do you know the sender? Reputable parcel services usually use their official contact details.
  3. Does the link lead to an official website? Be careful with links that lead to websites you do not know.

Conclusion: Be vigilant and careful about links in SMS messages. If in doubt, it is always better to contact the parcel service directly or visit the official website to check the status of your shipment. How to protect yourself from scammers.

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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 )