Last month we identified the most popular scams that were plaguing those across Australia & New Zealand. Our systems blocked 139,470 SMS scams, with fraudulent activities in shipping, finances, and tolls ranking among the most prevalent. Let’s delve into the top three SMS scams: 

#1 Australia Post Scams 

Scammers often impersonate Australia Post, falsely claiming lost parcels or storage issues have arisen regarding your shipment. Scammers will send a fake SMS with Australia Post’s name and usually create a sense of urgency. The first signs of a scam involve the URL link that will not contain Australia Post’s official web address.  

When in doubt, refer to the official courier website for parcel tracking. Additionally, Australia Post will provide a unique tracking number for each parcel which can be used to check the status of your delivery.  

#2 myGov Scams 

Since myGov was implemented to simplify the taxation process, scammers have created ways to manipulate tax payers and scam them under the guise of tax refunds, verification requests, or penalties for late or unpaid taxes. myGov will not create a sense of urgency in their communication with you and will never ask for passwords or sensitive and personal details. If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from myGov, check its legitimacy by visiting the official myGov website or via the myGov app. Remember, myGov will never demand immediate payment or threaten legal action via SMS, so stay mindful.  

#3 Toll Scams (Linkt) 

Fraudulent text messages regarding toll payments from toll company Linkt have increasingly surfaced in February. In an attempt to deceive you into updating account information or making a payment, scammers are piggybacking off Linkt as the toll company utilises SMS to help notify its customers. Legitimate toll companies will provide a secure online portal or app for managing toll payments where you can review your account balance and make payments securely. If you receive an unexpected SMS regarding a toll payment, log into your toll account using the official Linkt website or app to verify the status of your account and any outstanding payments. When in doubt, always check your account via the official portal and app provided. 

Want to learn more about each scam?  

1# Learn More about Australia Post Scams

2# Learn More about myGov Scams

3# Learn More about Linkt Toll Scams

Tips to Stay Safe Online:  

• Double-check the sender’s mobile number and email address. Even if it seems legitimate, think twice before you take any action.     
• Reach out to the company’s customer service directly for help and support. 
• Never click on dubious links or attachments! Stick to official websites and apps. 
• If you’ve accidentally revealed private information somewhere, change your passwords immediately and inform the companies that scammers may contact them pretending to be you.  
• You can check if your private information has been leaked and secure your social media accounts using Trend Micro ID Protection here  

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