Scam E-mails Circulating While Masquerading as NZ Post, Caution Specialists

Security experts have issued an alert that scammers are dispatching fraudulent electronic mails posing as communication from NZ Post i.e. New Zealand Post so they may hijack end-users' PCs, reported stuff.co.nz dated March 4, 2014.

Addressing recipients as "valued customers," the fake e-mails tell that there's a package with NZ Post which needs to be collected, so the user is advised for following a given web-link and obtain the bill as well as tracking information.

However, it's one malevolent .exe file that the web-link really leads to. Also, certain clues clearly indicate the fraudulent nature of the e-mails- the messages direct users to bring along an identification validation like an ID card issued from government when they come to collect the packet.

But, Claire Pasley NZ Post's Spokeswoman stated her company had just come to know about the scam when its customer service section got a call. Indeed, NZ Post hadn't sent the e-mails therefore anybody receiving one must delete it. Stuff.co.nz reported this.

An IT specialist from Christchurch, apprehending several individuals potentially believing the scam since mistakes in the e-mails numbered so few that they could easily get ignored, said that only by brushing the mouse on the web-link one could actually realize that he was getting diverted onto an executable. According to him, he was sure numerous people would get ensnared, however. Stuff.co.nz reported this.

Meanwhile, for remaining safe from the above kind of hoax e-mail, it's reminded that phishing e-mails usually start by general phrases such as "Dear Customer," "Dear User" alternatively "Valued Customers," similar as within the above described e-mail.

Further, there are most often false claims in phishing e-mails. These try to create an urgent ambience like instructing recipients for confirming their identity by showing their ID cards. So, one must recognize such tricks.

Also, phishing e-mails contain web-links, which appear real; however, take users onto bogus sites alternatively deliver malware like the malevolent .exe file within the aforementioned instance. Hence, any web-link inside unsolicited e-mails must be wholly ignored.

Lastly, it's important to run up-to-date anti-virus/anti-phishing/anti-spam along with firewall software whilst operating computers, while further scan the systems regularly.

» SPAMfighter News - 3/12/2014