“Do not click on links in unsolicited emails or texts. Instead, visit the official website of the courier service for updates,” the bureau said.
Report scams and fraud attempts
Canada Post recommends customers contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre if they receive a suspicious email, text or call related to the postal service.
Timothy Byrnes said scams invoke not just nationally recognized brands but also companies like his own, the Montreal-based courier service Jet Worldwide.
“The scam thing is huge,” he said. “They’ll say, ‘Hey, we have (the package), it’s with Jet Worldwide right now. Once you send the money, we’ll instruct Jet Worldwide to ship it.’”
One text message blasted out over the weekend claiming to be from the U.S. Postal Service stated that a parcel was “temporarily detained” because of an “invalid zip code.” The message invites receivers to clear the package by clicking on a link. The site, which vaguely resembles that of the postal service, then asks visitors to enter their credit card number and “expire date” in order to pay “some service fees.”
Multiple web browsers flagged the site, warning of phishing threats that attempt to steal personal and financial information.
“Always verify where it’s coming from,” Howell said.
“Did you order something that cost $10,000? Just because it says that you did does not necessarily mean that you did.”