Bpost warns of fraudulent messages circulating in its name

A wave of fraudulent text messages attributed to Bpost, the Belgian postal service, have been circulating since Saturday, the company admitted after receiving several complaints.

People have been receiving as many as four messages in a short period of time, all claiming to have been sent from Bpost. The messages claim that a package in the customer’s name has been sent and can be tracked by clicking on the attached link.

“I’ve had two messages on Saturday night supposedly from Bpost which says I have a package and that I can track it,” one recipient told RTL. “My friends received four messages, all from different GSM numbers.”

“I received a message saying I have a package waiting for me at Bpost,” said another. “It's a scam, this message was sent to several people so don't click on the link.”

A spokesperson from Bpost confirmed that text messages claiming to come from Bpost were circulating. "We are aware that customers have received a suspicious text message, allegedly from Bpost. I received it myself,” the spokesperson said. “An investigation has been launched and we are trying to raise awareness. People need to be careful and follow any order via our app or the Track and Trace system."

On its website, the company gives several tips on how to avoid being scammed. "For shipments within the EU, Bpost will never ask you to pay while your package is being delivered (eg: to avoid additional charges), or to provide personal information via email or SMS. Moreover, Bpost will never threaten to send a bailiff if you do not pay for your parcel," it reads. "We never ask you for personal information by email or SMS either."

If an internet link appears in the message, "you can check the link's website by hovering over the link with your mouse (don't click). The web address will then appear at the bottom left of your browser. If you do not recognise the address, don't click."

Finally, you can also report dubious messages to the authorities via the suspect@safeonweb.be address.