Don’t fall victim to a scam, even if your name is on it: Post Office

NATIONAL NEWS - The SA Post Office has become aware of text messages meant to convince the receiver to pay money into a fraudulent account.

The latest SMS message even includes the name of person who is receiving the message.

The message states that a parcel is being retained because customs fees on it are outstanding. The notice asks them to click on a link which leads them to a website where they can make a payment to release the fictitious parcel.

The Post Office never asks for import duties or clearance fees in advance.

If there are customs fees payable on a parcel from abroad, the client pays the fees when they collect the parcel from the Post Office counter.

The Post Office sends customers an SMS or a collection slip when they have a parcel waiting for collection at a post office branch. This parcel should be collected as soon as possible to make sure it is not returned to the sender.

Post Office branches have separate queues, so if you collect a parcel you will not have to queue with customers collecting a social grant.

The fraudulent email includes a ‘tracking’ number which was not generated by the Post Office, and which gives no result when it is entered on the tracking system.

Members of the public who receive the notice should delete it immediately. The Post Office encourages members of the public with any information about postal crimes to contact its toll-free crime buster hotline on 0800 020 070.