Terrifying detail scammers really want as new Australia Post scam emerges – and it’s not just your money
Aussies have been warned their identity could be stolen as well as their money using a new and convincing Australia Post scam that is active on Facebook Marketplace.
The scam was first discovered in September, but Australia Post has now issued a fresh warning to protect customers when shopping online.
The fraudsters are pretending to be an interested buyer while inquiring about a product for sale on Facebook Marketplace.
The scammer then sends a fake link or a QR code to the seller claiming payment has been made and they’ve paid for shipment of the goods.
Clicking on the link then takes the seller to a fraudulent Australia Post site to ‘receive money’ for the item.
Fraudsters can then collect sensitive information from the potential seller with the aim of steal their cash or identity in an act known as ‘phishing’.
Australia Post stressed it does not provide prepayment services for online sales, and warned sellers not to click on suspicious Australia Post links during a transaction.
Scammers are using QR codes from fake Australia Post links on Facebook Marketplace
Australians lost nearly $60 million to social media scams last year
‘Australia Post encourages customers to exercise caution and stay vigilant against scams of all types,’ an Australia Post spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.
‘We will never call or message customers to request payment or provide links or QR codes relating to online marketplace listings.’
The federal government has teamed up with banks, telcos and an Australian body investigating financial crimes in a bid to crack down on online scammers after Aussies lost millions to them last year.
Australians lost nearly $60million to social media scams in the first 10 months of 2024 – more than any other scamming method according to Scamwatch reports.
‘Scammers use fake or hijacked profiles on social media, messaging platforms and apps to steal money and personal information,’ Scamwatch stated.
‘Scammers will also try investment scams, romance scams and job and employment scams using social media.’
Australia Post has also warned its customers about scammers phoning, claiming they’re Australia Post representatives and saying they’ve intercepted parcels containing sensitive documents like identity, payment cards, or bank details.
They might also provide a fake name, worker ID and a case ID number with the aim the get your bank details.
