How to Spot Fake AusPost and Australia Post Customs Fee SMS Messages Targeting Australian Small Businesses

Scams & Phishing KB-705

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to Spot Fake AusPost and Australia Post Customs Fee SMS Messages Targeting Australian Small Businesses. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Quick Tip: Need immediate assistance? 💻 Open a Ticket

Common Causes

Australia Post does not send SMS messages demanding immediate payment of customs fees via a link. Scammers are targeting Australian small businesses with fraudulent text messages claiming a parcel is held at customs and requires payment before delivery. Clicking these links often leads to fake payment pages designed to steal credit card details or install malware on your device.

Quick Fix Steps

Do not click any links in the SMS message.
Do not reply to the message or call any number provided in the text.
Delete the message from your device.
Block the sender's number using your phone's messaging app.
If you clicked a link or entered payment details, contact your bank immediately.

Detailed Instructions

How to Spot a Fake AusPost SMS

Urgent language: Messages claiming your parcel will be returned or destroyed unless you pay immediately.
Unexpected customs fee: You are not expecting an international parcel, or the sender is unknown.
Suspicious links: URLs that do not match auspost.com.au or use link shorteners like bit.ly or tinyurl.com.
Generic greetings: Messages addressed to "Customer" or "Dear User" instead of your name.
Request for payment via SMS: Australia Post will never ask for payment or credit card details through a text message link.

What to Do If You Received the Message

Delete the suspicious SMS from your messaging app.
Block the sender's number using your phone's messaging app settings.

How to Report the Scam

Visit the Scamwatch website at scamwatch.gov.au to lodge a report.
Forward the message details to Australia Post at [email protected].

Never enter credit card details, banking information, or passwords on a website reached via an SMS link. Australia Post will never request payment through a text message.

If you are expecting a genuine international parcel, visit auspost.com.au directly by typing the address into your browser. Use the tracking number provided by the sender to check the status of your shipment.

If You Clicked a Suspicious Link

Disconnect your device from Wi-Fi and mobile data immediately.
Do not enter any information on the page that opened.
Close the browser tab or app.
Run a full security scan using your installed antivirus software.
If you entered payment details, contact your bank to cancel or freeze the affected card.
Change any passwords that may have been entered on the fake site.
Contact your IT support provider if you need assistance securing your business devices.

Still Having Issues?

Need more help? If the issue persists after trying these steps, please open a support ticket and our team will assist you.

💻 Open a Ticket