PHLPost warns public of scammers

CEBU, Philippines —  The Philippine Postal Corporation (Post Office) issued another warning to the public to be aware of scammers impersonating their employees and advised the public not to entertain suspicious notifications and individuals asking for money.

According to the agency, these scammers will call or message using a telephone/mobile phone, e-mail, Facebook, video messaging, and other online platforms purposely to deceive the public that they have an alleged parcel to claim at the Post Office.

“The public is warned not to fall victim to scammers posing as Post Office employees. They are not authorized to transact or solicit information from the public. Do not give personal information, and entertain these scammers. If a tracking number was given, please verify first, using the PHLPost Tracking System found on its official website. If the mail was sent to the Post Office, the tracking number should be nine (9) digits, with the last two letters being PH,” the Post Office said, in a statement.

The agency said that they have been receiving reports lately on scam incidents through online, email, SMS and calls.

It said that scammers, posing as postal employees, would use fake accounts in social media, emails, text messages or phone calls to lure victims of the supposed unclaimed package at its branches.

The agency said that bogus tracking numbers of packages and other documents are also sent to the victims to make the transaction look legitimate.

These documents, however, can be validated with the Post Office, who said that these scammers are employing several tactics to gain access to personal information or other similar means.

These fraudulent means include harassment, saying that their “unusual" package is being held at the Police Station and Post Office because of illegal content.

As a precautionary measure, these scams can easily be spotted if the scammer fails to provide the address of their office and these scammers insist that you pay through online banks and money remittances.

Victims of online scams are also advised to report the incidents to the cybercrime offices of the Philippine National Police or National Bureau of Investigation. — GMR (FREEMAN)