Be on the lookout for parcel scams

Published: 20/12/2021 | ICT/Technology | National

At this time of year many of us are expecting and receiving more parcels than usual and scammers are using this as an opportunity to catch people out.

Over the past couple of weeks, ICT have received a number of reports of malicious texts and emails in circulation that purport to be from parcel delivery companies and ask recipients to click on links to retrieve their deliveries. These look similar to the below:

Clicking the link may download malware or viruses that could harm your device, or extract information from the emails and contacts on your device. They may even access your passwords.

To keep you safe, ICT have provided the following advice.

What to look out for:

Emails or text messages asking you to click on a link to update or verify your details or manage the delivery of your parcel.

What to do:

Delete messages if you are not expecting a parcel delivery
If you are expecting a parcel delivery, do NOT click the link until you have checked it is genuine
- Do this by contacting the supplier you ordered the product from using their official website and verified contact details and asking them if the text message is genuine. You may have also received details of the courier company when you confirmed the order.
DO NOT respond to the email/text
DO NOT use the contact details provided in the email/text

If it’s an email, please report it using the “Report Message” button at the top of your inbox (see the below screenshot). This is the most effective way for the ICT Helpdesk to investigate the phishing email and decide on what further steps we may need to take to better protect our systems.

If you have not already done so, please also make sure you complete the online learning module for Information Security on Learning Station(external link) and read the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Acceptable Use Policy(external link) so you know the rules around the use of our equipment and sharing of information.

If in doubt, at any stage, please get in touch with: ictsupport@fireandemergency.nz or call 0800 374 843.