Rajasthan Police Issues Warning About Fake SMS from India Post
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Synopsis
On February 27, Rajasthan's Cyber Crime DG, Hemant Priyadarshi, cautioned the public against scams involving fraudulent SMS messages posing as India Post communications. Victims risk sharing personal information through deceptive links. Citizens are advised to use official channels for tracking parcels and report suspicious activities.
Key Takeaways
- Beware of fake SMS claiming delivery issues.
- Fraudulent links lead to counterfeit websites.
- Never share personal information via SMS links.
- Verify parcel status through official channels.
- Report suspicious messages to authorities.
Jaipur, Feb 27 (NationPress) The Director General (DG) of Cyber Crime in Rajasthan, Hemant Priyadarshi, has recently issued a warning to the public urging them to exercise caution and avoid becoming victims of cybercriminals who are perpetrating scams by sending fraudulent SMS messages and links masquerading as India Post.
He elaborated that scammers are sending messages that falsely claim a parcel delivery has failed due to an incorrect address. "These messages contain a deceptive link that prompts recipients to update their address," he explained.
However, clicking on the link redirects users to a fake website designed to closely mimic the official India Post portal.
“Once on this counterfeit site, victims are prompted to input sensitive personal information, including their name, address, phone number, and banking details. Additionally, they may be asked for an online payment or to provide information that could enable the criminals to access the victim's bank account.
To verify the status of your mail or parcel, it is essential to utilize the official contact number of India Post: 1800-266-6868 or visit recognized tracking websites,” he advised.
He reiterated that cybercriminals are sending SMS messages under the guise of India Post, claiming that the parcel could not be delivered due to an incorrect address. “They provide a link from a fraudulent mobile number and email, instructing users to click it to update their address. Once clicked, it leads to a deceptive website resembling India Post's official site, where they request personal information such as name, address, phone number, and bank details. They may also ask for cyber payments or commit fraud by hacking into bank accounts using the personal information provided,”
Director General Cyber Crime emphasized that for any mail or parcel inquiries related to Indian Post, individuals can reach out to the official number of the Indian Postal Service at 1800-266-6868.
“If you possess the delivery or goods number, you can use the official India Post website or any trusted third-party tracking service. Simply enter your tracking or delivery number on these websites and click 'Submit' to view your parcel's current location and status,” he stated.
In the meantime, India Post has clarified that it never requests customers to share personal information via links in messages.
“If you receive any suspicious SMS or email, refrain from clicking on any links. The Cyber Crime Branch of Rajasthan Police urges citizens to remain alert and report any fraudulent messages or links immediately to the Cyber Helpline: 1930, Cybercrime Website: https://cybercrime.gov.in, or their nearest Police Station or Cyber Police Station,”
the police concluded.
