The South African Post Office (Sapo) has alerted customers about bogus emails asking payment for goods with unpaid customs costs.
“The public receives an email informing them that a parcel addressed to them is being held due to unpaid customs duties. “The message entices recipients to click a link that directs them to a website where they may make a payment to release the phony package,” Sapo warned Monday.
If there are customs fees due on an international shipment, they are paid by the recipient when the package is collected.
“Because the Post Office allows consumers to inspect a package prior to taking ownership of it, payment is not required prior to collection.
“The Post Office often sends a text message when a package is available for pickup and never requires an EFT or online payment before a package is collected. “Any solicitation for an electronic payment should be considered fraudulent,” warned Sapo.
“@postoffice.co.za” is appended to email addresses sent by the Post Office. The fraudulent emails are sent from multiple servers.
The email has a package number beginning with ZA that was not generated by the Post Office. The parcel number cannot be monitored on the website of the United States Postal Service.
When the public receives the notice, they should quickly remove it.
The Post Office encourages the public to contact its toll-free crime hotline at 0800 020 070 if they have any information regarding postal crimes.