SMS Scam That Purports to be SingPost Looks Real But is Fake

With thieves, murderers, and perverts stuck at home, you’d think crime would decrease during the circuit breaker.

Thieves: It’s really been tough for my family and me. I was supposed to steal 10 iPhones this month.

The only real law-breakers lately have been uncles and aunties eating at coffee shops.

And that one guy who stabbed an NParks officer, of course.

But we forget that just like us, some criminals can work from home too. Without having to use Zoom.

SMS Scam That Purports to be SingPost Looks Real But is Fake

Scammers have been sending out messages purporting to be from SingPost asking for payments for undelivered items.

Patrick Tay, member of parliament (MP) for the West Coast Group Representation Constituency, warned the public about the SMS scam in a Facebook post on Wednesday (5 May).

Mr Tay, who received the scam message himself, said he checked with SingPost and discovered that they had not sent him the SMS.

The MP also posted pictures of the SMS he received and a screenshot of the website which was linked in the message.

Here’s how the scam works:

1. Scammer Sends This Message To Random Recipients

You’ll first get a message notifying you that your delivery has been stopped by at “their” depot.

The SMS includes a package number and a link where recipients can “resolve the issue”.

It’s not apparent who the message is actually from because the SMS does not include the company’s name, so you’ll probably click the link to find out more.

Which, by the way, you shouldn’t.

2. Linked to Fake Website That Asks For Payment

And then you’ll be directed to this website:

This looks pretty authentic, right? They have the SingPost logo at the top and even a Covid-19 update about their longer delivery times.

These scammers are getting more creative with their deception.

Though you’d know something is wrong when you look at the URL.

You then enter your package number (assuming you have one) and click “Check item status”.

Which brings you to this page:

This page says that there’s an “important notice about your delivery”.

The notice claims that your package is being held at SingPost’s distribution centre and is undergoing “processing” at their “Enfield terminal”.

The alleged problem is that there’s a “missing payment”, and once that amount is paid, your package can be delivered to you.

There is, of course, no missing payment, and the whole thing’s a scam.

But how can you tell?

How To Tell If A Call, Email, or Text Message is Real

According to SingPost’s website, you should never provide any personal information, such as your full name and bank account details, or transfer any money that may be requested if you receive a call, email, or text message claiming to be from SingPost.

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Even if the email or text message you received contains the SingPost name or logo, you should not reply to it or click on any hyperlink in it, they said.

If SingPost is unable to deliver an item to you, you will receive a physical Non-Delivery Advice to collect the item from a Post Office or POPStation, not some text message asking for a payment.

Here are some other useful tips from SingPost to avoid phishing attacks:

• Beware of email or websites asking you to click or reply to provide a confirmation or for your personal, financial or other sensitive information. A phishing email tends to address you generally as “Dear Sir/Madam”. It tends to also urge you to act quickly or with threats.
• Beware also of pop-ups. Do not click on hyperlinks, download files or open attachments unless you are sure that the source is legitimate.
• Beware of text messages asking you to claim a prize or to do a survey by following a hyperlink
• Look out for any security warnings displayed by web browsers and any security software. If there is a security warning, it is best to follow it.

As Mr Tay said: “Be careful during this period where we receive many of these messages and these scammers use very familiar messages and national icons/brands.”

Scammers are a little sharper these days, so we’ll have to be on our guard when we receive such calls and messages.

Reader: What about that message saying we can’t have bubble tea until 1 June? Is that a scam too?

No. Unfortunately, dear reader, that is all too real.

If you still miss bubble tea, then here’s a video you should watch on the facts about bubble tea (and also please subscribe to our YouTube channel!):