Australia Post scam email warning to millions of Aussies

Aussies have been warned about a scam floating around that could trick them into giving away vital personal information. Hackers have been sending an email claiming to be from Australia Post to advise a courier wasn't able to deliver a package due to an "incorrect" or "undeliverable" address.

This is one of numerous Australia Post scams from the past few months designed to dupe unsuspecting Aussies into clicking a link or sending money. Australia Post told Yahoo Finance it would “never contact anyone via SMS or email asking for personal or financial information or payments”.

Not only does this email ask you to click a link to reschedule the deliver, but it also wants you to pay a nearly $5 penalty.

Have you been a victim of a scam like this? Email stew.perrie@yahooinc.com

Victoria Police said this is an easy way for hackers to get your information and exploit it.

The key is making sure any link you get sent is legitimate. Aussies should check the URL and confirm it's definitely from Australia Post.

"Don’t click links in emails or messages unless you know who the sender is," Victoria Police said in a statement. "You can check where a hyperlink directs to by hovering your mouse over it. Don’t click on the link if you don’t recognise the website."

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You can also check emails or SMS messages to see if they have any spelling mistakes. Another tell-tale sign is faded or blurry images and company logos.

Australia Post has called on people to be extra vigilant if they receive texts, emails or calls from people claiming to be from them.

“We’re seeing a greater public awareness of scams and cybersecurity, however we encourage customers to be aware of how to spot a scam, including looking for a non-Australia-Post web address and unusual sense of urgency,” a spokesperson told Yahoo Finance.

“If customers receive a suspicious text or email message that appears to be from Australia Post, we encourage them to report it to scams@auspost.com.au and delete it immediately.”

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How do I protect myself from scammers?

Aussies lost a record $3.1 billion to scammers last year, an 80 per cent increase on the previous year.

Scamwatch has warned to beware of the following scenarios:

• It’s an amazing opportunity to make or save money

• Someone you haven’t met needs your help - and money

• The message contains links or attachments

• You feel pressured to act quickly

• They ask you to pay in an unusual or specific way

• They ask you to set up new accounts or Pay ID

What should I do if I think I’ve been scammed?

Contact your bank and report the scam. Ask them to stop transactions and stop sending any money.

Report the scam to Scamwatch here and make an official complaint to police here.

Watch out for follow up scams, particularly ones promising they can get your money back. Scamwatch warned one in three victims of a scam are scammed more than once.

Lastly, get support for yourself. You can talk to a financial counsellor or reach out to BeyondBlue on 1300 22 4636 or here for an online chat or Lifeline for crisis support online here on 13 11 14.

You can also contact IDCARE to “reduce the harm they experience from the compromise and misuse of their identity information by providing effective response and mitigation”.