Courier fraud warning: PTA urges citizens not to share OTPs
How fake courier calls work
Fraudsters can use convincing stories to make their calls appear genuine.
A caller may know that the person is expecting a parcel or may simply claim that a delivery is being held because of a verification problem. The caller can then ask the recipient to provide a code sent to their mobile phone.
In some cases, criminals may also ask for a payment, account details, PIN, password or other personal information. The purpose is to gain the victim’s trust and obtain information that can potentially be used to access an account or complete an unauthorised transaction.
The PTA’s cyber-security guidance warns about impersonation and attempts to obtain confidential information through deceptive methods. Its National Telecom CERT also provides public awareness material on phishing, fraud and other cyber-security risks.
Never share your OTP with anyone
An OTP, or one-time password, is a temporary security code used by many online and financial services to verify a user or approve an action. The code is meant to be entered by the account holder through the relevant service.
Giving an OTP to another person can allow an unauthorised party to complete a transaction or gain access to an account, depending on how the service uses the code.
For this reason, citizens should treat every request for an OTP as a potential security risk. Even if the caller appears to know details about a parcel, the recipient should not assume that the person is genuine.
Fake messages can also be dangerous
The fraud is not limited to phone calls. Scammers can also send fake text messages or emails that appear to come from courier companies.
These messages may claim that a parcel is waiting for delivery, that an address needs to be confirmed, or that a small payment is required. Recipients may then be asked to click a link, provide personal information or share a security code.
Suspicious links can lead users to fake websites designed to collect passwords, banking information or other sensitive details. The PTA’s National Telecom CERT maintains awareness resources covering phishing, social engineering and other online security risks.
Verify parcel details through official channels
Citizens should independently confirm delivery information before responding to an unexpected call or message.
If a person is expecting a parcel, they should check its status through the courier company’s official website, application, or verified customer service number. People should avoid using phone numbers or links provided in suspicious messages.
If there is any doubt about a delivery request, the safest approach is to contact the courier company directly through an official channel. This can help prevent fraudsters from using a fake delivery problem to create pressure.
Be careful when callers create urgency
Fraudsters often try to make people act quickly. A caller may say that a parcel will be returned immediately, that a delivery will be cancelled or that an account will be blocked unless information is provided.
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Such pressure should be treated as a warning sign. Citizens should take time to verify the claim instead of making a quick decision. A genuine delivery issue can normally be checked independently through the courier company.
Do not share other confidential information
The PTA warning also highlights the wider risk of giving sensitive information to unknown people. Citizens should never provide passwords, banking details, PINs, card security information or other confidential data to callers whose identity has not been independently confirmed.
A person should also be cautious about sharing personal information that could later be used to impersonate them. The PTA’s cyber-crime guidance discusses electronic financial fraud involving deception and the collection of sensitive information such as OTPs and PIN-related details.
PTA provides complaint facility
The PTA operates a Complaint Management System through which telecom consumers can register and track complaints. The system allows users to submit complaints and follow their status through the official platform.
Citizens who encounter suspicious activity should also contact the relevant service provider and appropriate authorities. Keeping records of suspicious calls, messages, and other evidence can be useful when reporting a suspected fraud.
Simple steps can help prevent fraud
People can take several basic precautions to protect themselves from courier-related scams.
They should never share an OTP with a caller, even when the person claims to be a courier representative. They should verify parcel information through official channels and avoid clicking unknown links.
They should also refuse requests for passwords, PINs, banking information, or other confidential details. Most importantly, people should not allow a caller to pressure them into making an immediate decision.
