More and more false postal SMS are appearing. Fraudsters demand customs fees in it. The Federal Network Agency and Post warn and explain: This is what the real news should look like.
Bonn – Again and again, fraudsters try to access account data with so-called phishing e-mails. Currently, users are being asked to pay alleged customs fees. The SMS and messenger messages appeared for the first time in the summer of 2022. In recent months, the number of post-fake reports has apparently increased rapidly.
While the Federal Network Agency received 65 complaints in January, there were already 2075 in April, the agency told dpa. So what do you have to consider when you receive a message from the post office?
Fake news from Deutsche Post: Federal Network Agency warns of fraud scam
The scam messages apparently use similar wording. "Your package could not be delivered because the customs fees were not paid," is one possible message. "Your package is ready to be shipped, confirm the customs payment," another. In addition, there are some typical features published by the Federal Network Agency:
Components of the scam messages:
- Content: Sender demands alleged customs fee to enable parcel delivery
- Sender: Supposedly postal and parcel service providers such as Deutsche Post or DHL
- Sender phone numbers: German or international mobile phone numbers
- Messages contain a link to a website similar to that of the parcel delivery company
- Input of personal data required: In particular, credit card information
The Federal Network Agency therefore warns against clicking on the link in the message. This could be used to tap personal data. If credit card information has already been entered, the agency recommends having the card blocked and also "filing a complaint with the local police department." Complaints can also be lodged via the website of the Federal Network Agency.
+The Federal Network Agency warns against SMS messages like these, which demand a customs payment and data entry.
© Screenshot Federal Network Agency
Customs demands: Deutsche Post explains what SMS should actually look like
In the meantime, the Federal Network Agency has switched off more than 200 mobile phone numbers that were used for the scam. Since then, however, the fraudsters have increasingly used foreign phone numbers that cannot be cut by the agency. A spokesman for Deutsche Post DHL pointed out that the company never asks for personal data by SMS or asks for payments. For customs clearance, however, DHL now actually uses an SMS service, the group informs on its website.
This is what Deutsche Post's customs SMS should look like:
- Sender number: +49 15 22/57 80 19 2
- Link in the SMS: www.dhl.de/express/dhl4you?sendungsnummer=1234567890
- No request for payment or personal data retrieval
The SMS only contains the link to the DHL Express portal "DHL4You", which can be used to upload documents – no payment information. For people who do not want to do customs clearance online, there is always a telephone number and e-mail address at the bottom of the page. Phishing e-mails or now quishing are constantly threatening new dangers in online purchases and activities on the Internet. These are the latest tricks of the rip-off artists. (chd/dpa)
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