Courier delivery scams appear to be circulating and targeting Tauranga this week, impersonating delivery companies and getting people to send personal or financial details.

Callers to Sunlive are reporting receiving texts and phone calls that appear to be scams.

A text sent to one Tauranga resident’s phone from an unknown outlook.com email address reads:

“New Zealand parcel: Your parcel has arrived, but your shipment has been suspended due to missing house number. Check and update your address details. (Please reply “Y” then close this message. Reopen it, tap the link, or copy and paste it into Safari to continue.)”

A website link is also included within the text message.

A Katikati resident reported receiving an identical text to their phone but from a different outlook.com email address.

Texts are not the only mode of message being used by scammers it seems, as another Tauranga caller to SunLive reported receiving a phone call.

A text received by a Tauranga resident on Wednesday, April 30.  Photo/Supplied.

“Just got a phone call from a normal cell number that immediately started playing an automated message about suspicious credit card charges to my Visa card. I don’t have a Visa,” the SunLive reader said.

Netsafe said with the increase in online shopping, more opportunistic scammers are targeting internet users by sending emails and text messages that impersonate delivery companies. “These are known as parcel delivery scams. They are designed to obtain personal or financial details from the recipients,” Netsafe said

Netsafe said variations include messages claiming that you have won a prize or a new phone, have been selected to participate in a survey, or need to pay customs duty on a package you ordered.

Anyone who has received a scam email or text message, can contact Netsafe seven days a week for free, confidential and non-judgmental advice.

How do parcel and courier delivery scams work?

Scammers often send emails or text messages to multiple people, tricking them into believing they are relevant. These messages typically direct you to a scam website and request your payment details.

A text received by a Katikati resident on Wednesday, April 30.  Photo/Supplied.

If it is a text message, it may even download a malicious app to your phone that can steal your information.

Common tactics include claiming an organisation like NZ Post or DHL attempted to deliver a parcel and asking you to click a link to rearrange delivery.

They may also ask you to approve a pickup time for a package via a link, which then takes you through a process to pay a small customs fee. Large unauthorised withdrawals may follow for those who pay.

What to do if you receive a scam text or email

Netsafe have some top tips for what to do if you've received a courier delivery scam message.

If you've received a scam text, do not respond or open any links included in the message.  Contact the named organisation using their publicly listed phone number if you believe the message might be genuine. If the message is not genuine, use your mobile phone’s features to block the sender. Forward the scam text to the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) at 7726. Report any app download requests to CERT NZ and delete the scam text message.

If you've received a scam email do not respond or click on any links in the email. Contact the named organisation directly if you believe the message might be genuine. Block the scammer’s email address by marking the email as junk your email filter will learn to redirect emails from that scammer’s email address away from your inbox.

If you've received a scam email link, close the scam webpage.  Check for malware on your device using a free online scanner. Contact your phone company for advice if you opened the link on your mobile, which may require a factory reset.

If you've shared personal information or bank details, report any shared bank account or credit card details to your bank immediately. Apply for a chargeback if you have sent money using your credit card.

Netsafe is encouraging people to report courier delivery scams.

“If you think you’ve been targeted by a scam, inform your friends and family to help them avoid falling victim,” Netsafe said.

 Screenshot of the Check Netsafe website. Image/Supplied.

Identifying whether a website is real or fake can be challenging. Netsafe have created the ‘CheckNetsafe’ Anti-Scam Tool, which helps you determine the legitimacy of a website or link.

“You can contact Netsafe seven days a week for free, confidential and non-judgmental advice about an online issue impacting you or someone you know.

“Whilst we cannot investigate or track scammers, we can provide advice on steps you can take to stay safe and what to do if you think you’ve been scammed.”

For more information on courier delivery scams or downloading malicious apps, go to the Netsafe website for support and help.

Anyone that receives a scam SMS text message is urged to report it free of charge by forwarding the message to 7726, or head to the DIA website for a step-by-step guide of how to report spam.