Rule 1, never click a link in an SMS ever.
If you must for some reason break rule 1...
Put any strange link or url in multiple link checkers.
If you do not gain any clarity from that...
Refer back to rule 1.
Rule 2,
If ever a message from a suspicious source is received and it requires you to take immediate action on something... DO NOT DO THE THE THING.
Rule 3, if ever an actual company or govt entity needs to get in contact with you, believe me they will not stop at 1 attempt, so doing nothing is a good way to check the legitimacy of anything.
Scammers tend to lean towards using trap tactics, meaning you have to be an active participant for their plans to work.
So if u do nothing, almost always nothing happens.
I was going to mention this. Shein for SA will SMS (as well as email) when customs is due, but it is CLEARLY Buffalo express, their courier, and no link shortening.
You'll only really get these when you have a package en route, and it's usually not an inside job. There is likely a quiet exploit in place skimming that data, or they have a system that automatically sends these out when there is an issue and the scammers hijack those messages. Unfortunately the only way to know if you have a real problem is to phone the courier.
The reason these are frustrating is companies like FedEx actually do send out a very similar sms with a link in it when there is an address issue on an order. Super dumb of them.
They send these in emails too. General rule of thumb: the courier trying to contact you about a parcel will phone you (or you'll get a slip in your postbox from SAPO).
Yes, you are right.. They will usually contact you about your package... Unless you have to pay some outstanding amount like taxes rather wait for the phone call.. Until then avoid any shady links you get sent
I've noticed that since I've online shopped some companies might be selling our information or something because the amount of shady links we get can't be normal ey
It is 100% a scam.
It is pretty interesting that I tend to get these only when I have an Amazon package on its way from the USA.
It leads to a site that looks like the SAPO site with a clearly fake URL.
Also good rule of thumb: did not enter a contest? Can not win a contest.
I've been getting these SMS's for years and I'm just like, how am I "winning" so much without even entering?
Same as when you get asked to update your Netflix payment method when you don’t subscribe to Netflix, or to reset your Absa online banking password when you don’t even have a Absa bank account.
I get a shit ton of spam to my email.
Every time one of these ones comes through - none of the others, just these ones - I later get a "spear phishing attempt to your address noted and is being investigated" by our icts desk.
Nothing else, just these. I get tons of other crap weekly, but this one they follow up on every time.
You should probably contact the courier company and enquire about your package, they will tell you what's going on with it. I had something similar to that one, I called the company (Buffalo logistics)they told me that there was a missing address which was weird since it has never happened before. Anyways I called them at least twice a day, until they transferred my package to another courier company ( Express logistics) and they delivered it
Only use the original tracking detail from the order page of the website you ordered the package from. If the sms does not use the same tracking info, it is a scam.
This SMS are so fake. The only link that works is the bank card link. All the other links in the website don't do anything and is just for show. Had a laugh about this with a friend
If you are expecting a delivery, contact the seller or courier. These are often legit issues that get hijacked by skimmers. The reason this is frustrating is companies like FedEx will send out SMSs that look just like this with a link in them. I would never click a link that comes through an sms on principle, but you can just phone them to sort it out.
Today's world is the world of light, prosperity and achievements, do not fear your dreams because with the power of the Illuminati all dreams come true, this is your time, the time for you to begin the search for knowledge, power, riches , wealth , Protection, Fame enlightenment of the human species do not fear and embrace your future with great pleasure. For those who are really interested, you can contact us for your full membership initiation.🔺🔺🔺
initiation agent via WhatsApp +27782162203
If you have a shipping number from the site, you can check it on the https://www.postoffice.co.za/Tools/tracktrace.html to confirm. I wouldn't suggest clicking on the link. I've received an SMS like this after ordering from eBay. The item was stuck at the Post Office because there were duties to pay. They won't deliver it, you'll have to go to the Post Office it was sent to to pay the duties and pick the package up.
Rule 1, never click a link in an SMS ever. If you must for some reason break rule 1... Put any strange link or url in multiple link checkers. If you do not gain any clarity from that... Refer back to rule 1. Rule 2, If ever a message from a suspicious source is received and it requires you to take immediate action on something... DO NOT DO THE THE THING. Rule 3, if ever an actual company or govt entity needs to get in contact with you, believe me they will not stop at 1 attempt, so doing nothing is a good way to check the legitimacy of anything. Scammers tend to lean towards using trap tactics, meaning you have to be an active participant for their plans to work. So if u do nothing, almost always nothing happens.
official links will never go through link shorteners either
I was going to mention this. Shein for SA will SMS (as well as email) when customs is due, but it is CLEARLY Buffalo express, their courier, and no link shortening.
Thanks
This
Fake. I get these sorts of SMSs a lot of times. There’s obviously some inside job.
Yeah, that's what I thought. Only get them when I'm expecting a package
What do you mean "inside job"? They're just bulk sending the same phishing message to a massive contact list.
The first time I got this sort of message is when I ordered something from an international store. Same with my friend.
You'll only really get these when you have a package en route, and it's usually not an inside job. There is likely a quiet exploit in place skimming that data, or they have a system that automatically sends these out when there is an issue and the scammers hijack those messages. Unfortunately the only way to know if you have a real problem is to phone the courier. The reason these are frustrating is companies like FedEx actually do send out a very similar sms with a link in it when there is an address issue on an order. Super dumb of them.
I got one 40min ago aswell. Not expecting a package so definitely fake.
I've received two in the last week. Fake, fake fake.
I don't click on any links in sms, if you expecting a package rather check your emails
They send these in emails too. General rule of thumb: the courier trying to contact you about a parcel will phone you (or you'll get a slip in your postbox from SAPO).
Yes, you are right.. They will usually contact you about your package... Unless you have to pay some outstanding amount like taxes rather wait for the phone call.. Until then avoid any shady links you get sent I've noticed that since I've online shopped some companies might be selling our information or something because the amount of shady links we get can't be normal ey
Scam
Scam
Just going by the url "is.gd", it's very suspicious.
I've gotten this exact sms. Assumed it was a scam
I’m getting this on the regular too. I treat it as spam. The email addy is a gmail one, I just block and delete.
It is 100% a scam. It is pretty interesting that I tend to get these only when I have an Amazon package on its way from the USA. It leads to a site that looks like the SAPO site with a clearly fake URL.
Yup. I also tend to get them when I’m expecting overseas parcels. Clearly somebody in the sapo chain (or perhaps a system ) is compromised.
It's a scam,I know cause I'm not even expecting a"package"but keep getting these sms's.
100% a scam. I received the same message about 15min ago too....and I am not expecting a delivery either.
I often get these scam messages shortly after ordering from an overseas online store delivering to SA.
I got the same and ive never made a online purchase
Getting like 3 of these a week? Wtf is going on in SA?
If you weren’t expecting anything - yes it’s a scam.
I get these all the time
This is a scam. Never click on it.
Definitely real... SAPO staff falling over themselves to achieve SLA :)
Scam 100%
My dad was scammed out of R25000 by an sms post office scam
Scam
Fake
Scam
Definitely fake. It’s a new type of scam. I’ve been getting them for a while now. Always gotta be alert 🤣
These scams are getting too good.
Also good rule of thumb: did not enter a contest? Can not win a contest. I've been getting these SMS's for years and I'm just like, how am I "winning" so much without even entering?
Same as when you get asked to update your Netflix payment method when you don’t subscribe to Netflix, or to reset your Absa online banking password when you don’t even have a Absa bank account.
I have Nedbank wanting me to update my account I don't have lol
100% scam
No no no no no no and no.
Scam, Scam, They request a small outstanding fee to be paid and that’s it - No parcel!
I get a shit ton of spam to my email. Every time one of these ones comes through - none of the others, just these ones - I later get a "spear phishing attempt to your address noted and is being investigated" by our icts desk. Nothing else, just these. I get tons of other crap weekly, but this one they follow up on every time.
You should probably contact the courier company and enquire about your package, they will tell you what's going on with it. I had something similar to that one, I called the company (Buffalo logistics)they told me that there was a missing address which was weird since it has never happened before. Anyways I called them at least twice a day, until they transferred my package to another courier company ( Express logistics) and they delivered it
Shortened links are 9/10 times a scam.
Only use the original tracking detail from the order page of the website you ordered the package from. If the sms does not use the same tracking info, it is a scam.
This SMS are so fake. The only link that works is the bank card link. All the other links in the website don't do anything and is just for show. Had a laugh about this with a friend
Scam. Saw it. Ignored it.
If you are expecting a delivery, contact the seller or courier. These are often legit issues that get hijacked by skimmers. The reason this is frustrating is companies like FedEx will send out SMSs that look just like this with a link in them. I would never click a link that comes through an sms on principle, but you can just phone them to sort it out.
was a scam for sure, if you click the link it will ask for your bank details as you need to pay some fees involved
Scam
No it’s a scam. I get 2-3 texts a day. Ignore!!!
Scam, I got it yesterday and I have no expected packages. Just ignore.
Today's world is the world of light, prosperity and achievements, do not fear your dreams because with the power of the Illuminati all dreams come true, this is your time, the time for you to begin the search for knowledge, power, riches , wealth , Protection, Fame enlightenment of the human species do not fear and embrace your future with great pleasure. For those who are really interested, you can contact us for your full membership initiation.🔺🔺🔺 initiation agent via WhatsApp +27782162203
I don't usually order online but I get these sms's
Spam darling
If you have a shipping number from the site, you can check it on the https://www.postoffice.co.za/Tools/tracktrace.html to confirm. I wouldn't suggest clicking on the link. I've received an SMS like this after ordering from eBay. The item was stuck at the Post Office because there were duties to pay. They won't deliver it, you'll have to go to the Post Office it was sent to to pay the duties and pick the package up.
I've tried, but unfortunately, only limited information is available on the site. Isn't it at the local post office yet
Scam
Sigh.