Australia Post has issued new warnings regarding a rise in phishing scams that impersonate its services. These scams typically involve fraudulent texts and emails claiming a failed delivery due to an invalid postcode. Such messages often include harmful links designed to compromise personal information.
Adam Cartwright, Australia Post’s Chief Information Security Officer, noted that scammers exploit the busyness of modern life and the urgency of awaiting packages to deceive individuals. To safeguard against these scams, he advises using the official Australia Post app for tracking deliveries. Customers are urged not to click on suspicious links or respond to unexpected communications, and instead to verify any delivery notifications through the app.
The recent wave of scams is associated with the “Darcula” phishing operation, enabling scammers to utilise a toolkit that imitates well-known brands to harvest customer data. This tactic is particularly concerning as it can bypass existing telecom and network scam filters, making it more challenging to block such attacks.
Research indicates that nine out of ten Australians have encountered scam texts or calls, with a significant proportion reporting attempts to imitate parcel delivery services. Australia Post assures customers that they will never contact individuals seeking personal or financial details, including passwords, credit card information, or account specifics, nor will they request payment through calls, texts, or emails.
In light of these incidents, it is crucial for Australians to remain vigilant and informed to protect their personal information from unauthorised access.