Authorities in Lower Saxony and Hamburg are warning residents about a widespread “quishing” scam targeting individuals through fraudulent package notifications. The scam involves criminals using QR codes to steal personal data.
Fraudulent Package Notices Circulating
Police in the Aurich district report discovering multiple fake DHL package notices in private mailboxes. While it remains unconfirmed whether these are indeed counterfeit – as no cases have been officially reported – authorities in the districts of Oldenburg and Vechta are actively warning citizens about quishing attempts via WhatsApp. These notices, bearing a convincingly accurate DHL logo and QR code, sometimes include a website address and a personal code, prompting recipients to provide delivery details. The goal of these scams is to obtain sensitive information such as phone numbers, names, bank account details, and credit card numbers. Police advise individuals to carefully examine links for spelling errors, code length, font type, and overall website design.
DHL Confirms Notices Are Not Official
DHL has explicitly stated that these notification cards are not issued by the company and that they never request personal data through such cards. While no concrete cases have been reported to police in Hamburg, citizens are already alerting each other to the flyers via WhatsApp. Both DHL and the police urge individuals to discard these cards, refrain from scanning any codes, and avoid clicking on any links.
The Lower Saxony State Criminal Police Office (LKA) reports that criminals are employing various methods to steal account details, with QR codes being a prominent tactic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “quishing”?
Quishing is a type of phishing scam that uses QR codes to trick individuals into revealing personal information. Scammers distribute fake notifications, often resembling those from legitimate delivery services, containing malicious QR codes.
What should I do if I receive a suspicious package notice?
Police and DHL advise discarding the notice immediately, avoiding scanning any QR codes, and refraining from clicking on any links. DHL does not request personal information through package notices.
What information are scammers trying to obtain?
Scammers aim to collect phone numbers, names, bank account details, and credit card numbers through these fraudulent schemes.
As these scams evolve, will individuals remain vigilant and prioritize the security of their personal and financial information?
