Courier and Parcel Delivery Scams in Australia: How to Spot and Avoid Them

Most of us are waiting on a parcel of some sort, so a text or email about a delivery feels normal. Scammers know this. A fake message that looks like it comes from Australia Post or a big retailer is one of the most common scams in Australia, precisely because it arrives at a moment when you are half expecting it.

The message usually says there is a small fee to pay, or that your parcel is held up and you need to confirm your details. The link goes to a copycat website built to collect your card number. This guide explains how to tell a fake from the real thing, in plain English, and what to do if one catches you out. This is one piece of a bigger picture, so it is worth reading our full guide to staying safe online as well.

How a courier scam usually works

A message lands by text or email. It carries a courier or postal name you recognise, often Australia Post, DHL or a name dressed up to look official. It tells a small, believable story: a parcel could not be delivered, a customs or redelivery fee is owed, or your address needs confirming. There is a link, and a gentle sense of hurry so you act before you think.

Tap the link and you reach a website that looks like the real courier, down to the logo and colours. It asks for a card number to pay the fee, or for personal details to release the parcel. The fee is tiny, often a dollar or two, which is the trick. The point is not the dollar. It is to capture your card details, or to charge your card again and again once they have them.

The signs to watch for

• A request to pay a delivery, customs or redelivery fee by clicking a link. Genuine couriers do not collect fees this way.
• A web address that looks almost right but not quite, such as extra words or an odd ending after the company name.
• A message about a parcel you are not actually expecting.
• Pressure to act today, or a warning that the parcel will be returned if you do not.
• Spelling or grammar that is slightly off, or a greeting that does not use your name.

The same telltale signs show up across most scam messages. Our guide on how to spot text message scams in Australia goes through them in more detail and is worth a read alongside this one.

What to do when one arrives

Do not tap the link, even to have a look. If you genuinely are waiting on something, check it the safe way: open the courier’s own app, or type the company’s website address into your browser yourself, and use the tracking number from your order confirmation. If the parcel is from a shop, contact the shop directly using the details on your receipt or their official website.

You can also report it, which helps shut the scam down for others. Forward scam texts free to 7726, which helps your phone company block the numbers behind them. You can report scam messages of any kind to Scamwatch online at scamwatch.gov.au. Once reported, delete the message.

If you have already clicked or paid

Try not to panic. Clicking a link on its own is often not the disaster it feels like, and there are clear steps to take. If you only tapped the link, our guide on what to do if you clicked a scam text link walks you through it calmly.

If you entered your card number or paid the fake fee, contact your bank straight away and tell them. Ask them to stop the card and watch for unusual transactions. Australian banks now have round-the-clock channels for reporting scams, and the sooner you call, the more they can do to stop, trace or recover a payment.