Scam alert: Fraudsters are pretending to be Canada Post to secure your personal info
Everyone beware, Canada Post phishing scams are picking up traffic as of late.
Phishing refers to the fraudulent practice of sending emails, while acting as a reputable company with the intention of having individuals share personal information, such as credit card numbers and passwords.
In this case, fraudsters are acting as Canada Post.
“Canada Post takes online security very seriously,” said a spokesperson in a statement to Yahoo Canada. “Unfortunately, malicious phishing emails and texts circulate from time to time, and we recommend that customers delete any suspicious emails or texts containing a link or file and contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.”
For those who are receiving messages from “Canada Post” they should know that “they do not contact you by email unless you have requested it.” Canada Post also posted a blog entry on Jan. 16, which includes more tips that will help you protect yourself against “brand-spoofing fraudsters.”
The info is not yet common knowledge, so people are taking to Twitter to air their worries, before the phishing trend grows even more dangerous.
In some cases, it’s not only been emails and texts, some have also been targeted by contests and promotions:
In my Gmail recently, I was shown an ad from what I assume is a phishing company pretending to be Canada Post--a paid-for Gmail ad, not a spam/scam email. The ad referenced the parcel I'd received the day before and wanted me to enter a contest. The url was in Russia, I believe.
— Malcolm van Delst (@malcolm8) January 27, 2020
@canadapostcorp @canadaposthelps There was a scams going online in the name of canada post so pls do check it. pic.twitter.com/LwwSZ5lwjR
— ajith poojary m🍁 (@ajithpoojarym) January 26, 2020
There have also been attempts by secondary parties who are trying to validate themselves by pointing to Canada Post as a partner in the equation.
@CanBorder I received an e-mail from a company (not a courier) called EzClear, asking for duty fees to be paid to them before a parcel will be released to Canada Post. Do you know if this company is legit? The e-mail seems like a scam.
— Northern Thrifters (@NThrifters) January 14, 2020
They try don’t they
There are so many things wrong with this scam email 😂
Sincerely, Canada Revenue Agency
Recordsor
When did Canada Post also become the CRA? pic.twitter.com/elDpvlN8I1— ❅ ᴛʀɪsᴀʀᴀʜᴛᴏᴘs ❆ (@Paynedeer) January 9, 2020
Among all the scams, it comes as no surprise that some are being executed through the phone, either with a call or text, as also reported by the Victoria News:
@canadaposthelps I keep getting calls from someone claiming to be from Canada Post and needing my delivery address. Is this a scam or legit? Caller number is (587) 434-7353. Please DM me
— Gary Marx (@gjmarx) December 17, 2019
@calgarypolice
Here is #Scam that I received today. First a text with a link, which leads to a website that appears to belong to Canada Post, asking for my credit card info to pay a small amount of postage for a package (and I was receiving a package today)
Beware! #ScamAlert pic.twitter.com/aJddj6f6dn— David Webb (@dgwebb61) November 16, 2019
If anything, it’s safe to say that these scammers have some courage, they’re even trying to trick Ontario’s Port Hope Police.
The even try to scam the Police Service...this is a SCAM Email do not fall for them. Firstly when the say Dear Canada Post Client a legitimate email would have your name if there was a parcel for you.... pic.twitter.com/M0DMTVLKmr
— Port Hope Police (@PortHopePolice) November 22, 2019
As a tip, customers should heed this important advice: Canada Post will never “send unsolicited emails asking for your credit card number, account or invoice numbers, address or passwords.”
