Have you also received a delivery message from India Post? Scammers have now found this way to cheat.

India Post lets you send and receive parcels anywhere in India. When you send a parcel, India Post provides you with a tracking number to monitor its status. However, in recent times, many cases of fraud in the name of India Post have come to light on social media. Scammers send messages to people's phones, claiming that their parcel is ready to be collected, and if not collected within 48 hours, it will be sent back.

Many people, tempted by the idea of ​​receiving a parcel, click on the link provided and fall prey to fraud. Scammers have now developed an even more deceptive method, making it difficult to detect fraud. Let's find out how you can protect yourself from these frauds.

Fraud by booking a parcel

Earlier, scammers used to send messages claiming that a package was waiting for delivery, but the address was incomplete. The message instructed recipients to update their address via a link within 48 hours, or else the parcel would be returned. However, the link was not linked to the official India Post website. Since the link is not authentic, many people managed to escape this scam.

New method of fraud

Fraudsters have now adopted a new and more sophisticated method. They book a parcel in your name, register your phone number, and you receive an official-looking message from India Post, with a tracking number. When you track the parcel using the number provided, you are directed to the official India Post website, where all the details appear to be legitimate.

Assuming that someone has sent you a parcel, you almost fall for the scam. Then the scammer calls you, claiming there is a parcel in your name, and you, after receiving the message and the tracking number, assume it is true.

The scammer then asks for payment to deliver the parcel. Thinking that a small fee is justified, you pay them, but later find out that there was no parcel, and the scammer has taken your money.

How to protect yourself from this scam

If you get such a message, do not react immediately. First, ask your family if anyone has ordered something in your name. If no one has done so, ignore the message.

If the scammer calls and claims that there is a parcel in your name, firmly refuse to pick it up. If they do so continuously, report the number to the cyber crime cell. Always be wary of any link given in such messages and avoid clicking on it, especially if the link does not lead to the official India Post website.