QuickCheck: Are ‘failed’ parcel delivery messages being used to dupe online shoppers?

SCAMS come in various forms, with new tactics emerging regularly to prey on unsuspecting victims

In one of the most recent, victims may receive messages or notifications from courier companies allegedly having trouble delivering parcels due to missing addresses or other reasons.

These messages are often accompanied by a link to a payment page. Are these messages used by scammers to get personal information from victims?

VERDICT:

TRUE

Logistics company J&t Express Malaysia, in a Facebook post, said it was aware of the problem and recently alerted its customers to such scams.

In the statement, the company said customers have reported receiving phone calls from unknown parties followed by a recorded phone conversation for delivery enquiry.

A message or notification would follow with an excuse for an alleged failed attempt to deliver, such as missing addresses and a request to update the information, accompanied with online payment options to retrieve or redirect the parcel.

These messages or calls would usually originate from local or non-local numbers.

"Beware of scams! Fraudsters find new ways to leverage you online, over call or message.

"Stay vigilant and do not reveal your personal information to anyone!" the company warned in its Facebook post.

Instead it urged those who had received such messages or notifications to contact the J&T Express hotline at 1-300-80-9000 or 03-9212 9660 or via its live chat at www.jtexpress.my.