Australia Post issues urgent warning as record number of Aussies fall victim to delivery scams
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These days, online shopping has become as routine as picking up the morning paper. Many people rely on it to do their weekly grocery shopping and buy other essentials.
Unfortunately, this increase has also led to a surge in package and delivery scams, which have become a prominent form of fraudulent activity in Australia.
A recent survey commissioned by Australia Post showed that a staggering 75 per cent of Australians have been targeted by these cunning schemes, with some individuals losing upwards of $20,000.
The convenience of having goods delivered to our doorstep is undeniable, but it seems that with convenience comes risk.
The survey paints a grim picture: 27 per cent of respondents admitted to being ensnared by these scams, with a small yet significant 5 per cent reporting losses that would make anyone's eyes water.
The most common scams are not limited to just delivery and package notifications; they also include overdue toll notices, too-good-to-be-true prize winnings, and fraudulent banking or telecommunications alerts.
It's a modern-day pirate's treasure trove of hoaxes, scams, and frauds, and it's targeting our shores with alarming frequency.
More than 80 per cent of Australians report receiving up to 10 scam texts and calls weekly, with a persistent 15 per cent bombarded by 16 or more scam emails.
In response to this escalating threat, Australia Post is stepping up its efforts to educate the public on safeguarding themselves against these deceptive tactics.
The organisation's Group Chief Executive, Paul Graham, voiced his concern, stating, 'Australians are losing billions of dollars to scams each year.'
‘Scam attempts are becoming more sophisticated, frequent and increasingly harder to detect and our latest research reveals that most of us have already been targeted,’ he added.
The research also revealed a concerning trend: over half of those surveyed had initially believed a fake delivery message was legitimate, only to discover its fraudulent nature upon closer inspection.
This highlights the sophisticated methods scammers are using to mimic official communications.
To combat this, Australia Post recommended the use of its free AusPost app, which provides a secure method to track deliveries and avoid falling prey to scam messages.
Australia Post has also issued a stern reminder to its customers: it will never reach out asking for personal or financial information, such as passwords, credit card details, or account information. Nor will it ever request payment through a call, text, or email.
Scammers, however, may not be so discerning, often referencing other delivery companies, both real and fictitious, to lure unsuspecting victims.
As members of the Seniors Discount Club, it's crucial to stay vigilant and informed.
Scammers often target those they perceive as vulnerable. By staying aware and educating ourselves on the hallmarks of these scams, we can protect not only our finances but also our sense of security.
We encourage you to share this information with friends and family, and to report any suspicious messages or calls to the appropriate authorities.
Remember, if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stay safe, stay sceptical, and let's keep our hard-earned money where it belongs—in our pockets, not in the hands of scammers.
Have you or someone you know encountered a package or delivery scam? Share your experiences in the comments below to help others recognise and avoid these fraudulent tactics.
Unfortunately, this increase has also led to a surge in package and delivery scams, which have become a prominent form of fraudulent activity in Australia.
A recent survey commissioned by Australia Post showed that a staggering 75 per cent of Australians have been targeted by these cunning schemes, with some individuals losing upwards of $20,000.
The convenience of having goods delivered to our doorstep is undeniable, but it seems that with convenience comes risk.
Australia Post reported that three-quarters of Australians fall victim to delivery scams. Image source: Shutterstock
The survey paints a grim picture: 27 per cent of respondents admitted to being ensnared by these scams, with a small yet significant 5 per cent reporting losses that would make anyone's eyes water.
The most common scams are not limited to just delivery and package notifications; they also include overdue toll notices, too-good-to-be-true prize winnings, and fraudulent banking or telecommunications alerts.
It's a modern-day pirate's treasure trove of hoaxes, scams, and frauds, and it's targeting our shores with alarming frequency.
More than 80 per cent of Australians report receiving up to 10 scam texts and calls weekly, with a persistent 15 per cent bombarded by 16 or more scam emails.
In response to this escalating threat, Australia Post is stepping up its efforts to educate the public on safeguarding themselves against these deceptive tactics.
The organisation's Group Chief Executive, Paul Graham, voiced his concern, stating, 'Australians are losing billions of dollars to scams each year.'
‘Scam attempts are becoming more sophisticated, frequent and increasingly harder to detect and our latest research reveals that most of us have already been targeted,’ he added.
The research also revealed a concerning trend: over half of those surveyed had initially believed a fake delivery message was legitimate, only to discover its fraudulent nature upon closer inspection.
This highlights the sophisticated methods scammers are using to mimic official communications.
To combat this, Australia Post recommended the use of its free AusPost app, which provides a secure method to track deliveries and avoid falling prey to scam messages.
Australia Post has also issued a stern reminder to its customers: it will never reach out asking for personal or financial information, such as passwords, credit card details, or account information. Nor will it ever request payment through a call, text, or email.
Scammers, however, may not be so discerning, often referencing other delivery companies, both real and fictitious, to lure unsuspecting victims.
As members of the Seniors Discount Club, it's crucial to stay vigilant and informed.
Scammers often target those they perceive as vulnerable. By staying aware and educating ourselves on the hallmarks of these scams, we can protect not only our finances but also our sense of security.
We encourage you to share this information with friends and family, and to report any suspicious messages or calls to the appropriate authorities.
Remember, if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stay safe, stay sceptical, and let's keep our hard-earned money where it belongs—in our pockets, not in the hands of scammers.
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