Delivery phishing scams: Over 300 victims lose $760k

More than 300 people have fallen prey to phishing scams involving delivery companies amid year-end online shopping events.

There have been at least 341 victims since last month, with losses amounting to at least $759,000, the police said on Monday.

The victims typically received e-mails and text messages from scammers impersonating delivery companies such as SingPost. These messages claimed that there were outstanding payments which had to be made before their parcels could be delivered.

The victims were told to click on Internet address - or URL - links, where they were asked to provide their card details and a one-time password to make payment.

They realised they had been scammed only after discovering unauthorised transactions made with their card.

The police said members of the public should not click on URL links in unsolicited text messages and e-mails.

They can verify the authenticity of the information by going to the official website or the source.

Those who have information relating to such crimes can call the police hotline on 1800-255-0000, or submit it at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness

For more information on scams, the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the anti-scam hotline on 1800-722-6688.