New stitches and how to protect yourself

LONDON (IT BOLTWISE) – In the hectic run-up to Christmas, fraudsters are taking advantage of parcel chaos to use new scams to deceive unsuspecting consumers. The focus is particularly on fake DHL delivery notes and alleged customs payments that are intended to steal personal data.

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In the run-up to Christmas, the volume of parcels increases significantly, which fraudsters take advantage of to intensify their schemes. The name of the well-known parcel delivery company DHL is often misused to deceive unsuspecting consumers. Criminals use various tactics to obtain personal data or steal money.

One of the most common methods is so-called quishing, in which fake parcel delivery notes are thrown into mailboxes. These pieces of paper contain QR codes that lead to replica DHL websites where personal information is requested. The consumer advice center strongly warns against this scam, as the stolen data is often sold on the dark web.

Another popular scam is the “overweight package” method. The victims receive an email that supposedly comes from DHL and asks them to pay additional money because the package is too heavy. These emails appear authentic at first glance, but are a blatant attempt at fraud. The link included leads to a fake website that is supposed to collect personal data.

The so-called customs scam is particularly treacherous. The recipients are informed that their package cannot be delivered due to outstanding customs duties. Again, the links provided lead to fake websites that aim to steal payment information. Consumers should always check the authenticity of such messages and, if in doubt, contact DHL directly.

To protect themselves from such scams, consumers should take a few precautions. This includes comparing the tracking numbers on the delivery notes with the actual orders and checking the status of the packages via the official DHL website. In addition, emails that do not begin with your own name or come from unknown senders should be treated with caution.

Increasing digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence are making it easier for fraudsters to create increasingly sophisticated phishing emails. This makes it even more important to remain vigilant and report suspicious messages. Consumers can report suspicious emails directly to DHL at [email protected] forward to contribute to clarification.

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