Be aware of scam text messages

30 March 2020

A fresh wave of scams, aimed at tricking members of the public into giving away sensitive financial details, has been hitting a wide range of businesses including us. 

The scammers use a number of methods, the latest, like these ones, involve a text message telling customers they have a mail item that is being held because of an overdue payment. The customer is asked to click on a link to have the mail item released. The scams have hit customers, including An Post colleagues, as well as taking up valuable time and resources as we respond to enquiries and tackle the scammers. The texts often carry an An Post logo and are designed to look like a genuine customer contact.

 An Post are asking customers to be Scam Aware is they receive these kinds of messages not only from us but also from other businesses and service providers, financial institutions etc. In many cases the layout or language used in the messages are an indication they are not genuine. 

 The sources of the scams and the methods used by the scammers change all the time. We have been successful in the past in getting some of the scams closed down. That work continues but it is fair to say that such scam attempts are becoming a feature of all our lives and constant vigilance is required.