341 victims lose $759k to phishing scams involving delivery companies during end-of-year sales

The police have issued an advisory reminding the public to be vigilant amidst the year-end shopping events after observing an increase in phishing scams involving delivery companies.

In a statement, the police said at least 341 victims have fallen prey to such scams since November this year, with losses amounting to at least $759,000.

Victims would typically receive emails or text messages from scammers impersonating delivery companies, including SingPost.

These messages often claimed there were outstanding payments for parcel deliveries which had to be made before the items could be delivered.

Victims would be directed to click on URL links embedded within these emails or text messages to make the supposed payment.

Upon clicking on these links, victims would be redirected to fraudulent websites where they would be tricked into providing their credit/debit card details and One-Time Passwords (OTP).

Victims would only realise they had been scammed after discovering unauthorised transactions made using their credit/debit cards.

Members of the public are advised to follow these crime prevention measures:

• Do not click on URL links provided in unsolicited emails and text messages;

• Always verify the authenticity of the information with the official website or sources (for example, SingPost’s official website is www.singpost.com and its hotline is 1605);

• Never disclose your personal or Internet banking details and OTP to anyone; and

• Report any fraudulent credit/debit card charges to your bank and cancel your card immediately.

If you have any information relating to such crimes, you can call the police hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. If you require urgent police assistance, dial ‘999’.

For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Hotline at 1800-722-6688.