Have you received one of these?
The message is apparently delivered from a Malaysian number starting with “+60”
Another message from a similar number reads, "Emirates Post: Due to the loss of address, your package cannot be delivered. Please handle it promptly. You can update the address online and request a new delivery: [unauthorized link]. Please send the number 1 to activate the link, update the online address, and request a new delivery again.”
A fake SMS, impersonating the reputed Emirates Post, has been doing rounds in Dubai to trick recipients to click on a link to make a payment or share personal information.
With the online scam gaining momentum, Emirates Post has released a scam prevention alert asking Emiratis to be vigilant about the fraudulent message delivered through email, SMS, WhatsApp, and counterfeit websites. The company stated that all their communication would be strictly from their official email addresses ending with @emiratespost.ae or @emiratesposthop.ae or the Emirates Post registered number for SMS.
The official email IDs include noreply@emiratespost.ae, custservice@emiratespost.ae, mailer@emiratespostshop.ae, mail@emiratespostshop.ae, digital@emiratespost.ae and auto-mail@emiratespostshop.aest.ae.
The company also reinforced that it would never ask for payments through personal numbers. Messages received from any other email address or number can be considered spam.
"Be careful in making transactions on online platforms like Dubizzle. Scammers often pretend as mediators between the buyer and the seller via a fraudulent Emirates Post link, asking for personal and bank details. Please note that Emirates Post will never facilitate payments between users across any website,” reads the alert about the social media scam.
Here is what you can do to avoid falling prey to such scams -
- Do not respond to messages from unknown numbers
- Do not share personal information unless it is from an official source
- Avoid clicking on unknown links
- Report the number/email address to Emirates Post and block them
Users can file a case with the Dubai police by visiting the Dubai Police E-Crime portal to enter the complaint.
Specify the type of the complaint and enter the details. Attach supporting documents. You can also specify if there have been any financial losses. Read more here.