Police warn of phishing scam involving texts and e-mails impersonating DHL and SingPost

There has been a rise in non-banking related phishing scams involving spoofed e-mails and text messages related to parcel delivery.

The police said in a statement that victims of such phishing scams would receive spoofed e-mails or text messages purportedly sent from a delivery company such as SingPost or DHL.

The phishing e-mails and text messages would usually prompt the victims to check the status of their parcel delivery by clicking on the URL link included in the e-mails and texts.

Upon clicking the URL links, victims would be redirected to fraudulent websites where they would be required to provide their credit/debit card details and One-Time Password (OTP).

In some cases, the victims would receive notifications that their credit/debit cards had been linked to an Apple Pay account.

Most of the victims only realised that they have been scammed when they discovered unauthorised transactions were made using their credit/debit cards.

The police advise members of the public to adopt the following crime prevention measures:

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

2. Always verify the authenticity of information received with the official website or sources;

3. Contact your card-issuing bank immediately if you receive an OTP and did not make any online transactions;

4. Always verify the merchant details indicated in the OTP text message/notification before providing your OTP. Do not key or input your OTP on the payment page if you are not making the transaction;

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

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

If you have information related to such crimes or if you are in doubt, please call the police hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. Please dial ‘999’ if you require urgent police assistance.

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