The Police would like to remind the public to remain vigilant amidst the year-end online shopping events. The Police have observed an increase in phishing scams involving delivery companies. Since November 2021, at least 341 victims have fallen prey to such scams, with losses amounting to at least $759,000.
Victims would typically receive emails or text messages from scammers impersonating delivery companies including SingPost. These emails and text messages often claimed that there were outstanding payments for parcel delivery which had to be made before the item 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 URL links, victims would be redirected to fraudulent websites where they were tricked into providing their credit/debit card details and One-Time Password (OTP). Victims only realised that they had been scammed when they discovered unauthorised transactions made using their credit/debit card.
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, please call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. If you require urgent Police assistance, please 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. Join the ‘Spot the Signs. Stop the Crimes’ campaign at www.scamalert.sg/fight by signing up as an advocate to receive up-to-date messages and share them with your family and friends. Together, we can help stop scams and prevent our loved ones from becoming the next victim.
Images of Scam Emails and SMS
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
20 December 2021 @ 8:30 AM