POSTAL FORUM URGES PUBLIC VIGILANCE AGAINST RISING POSTAL AND DELIVERY SCAMS

CYBERJAYA, June 23 (Bernama) -- Postal Forum, the self-regulatory industry body for the postal and courier sector designated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) pursuant to the Postal Services Act 2012, today issued a public advisory calling upon Malaysian citizens to exercise heightened caution amid increasing reports of scams impersonating postal and courier service providers.

As part of its ongoing consumer protection mandate, Postal Forum is issuing this advisory proactively — recognising that public awareness is the first and most effective line of defence against fraud. Reports of fraudulent communications — including fake parcel delivery notifications, demands for bogus customs clearance fees, Cash-on-Delivery (COD) payment manipulation, and phishing links disguised as tracking updates — have been received across multiple channels, targeting consumers of all age groups through SMS, WhatsApp, and email.

HOW THE SCAMS WORK

Scammers typically contact victims posing as courier companies or postal agents, claiming that a parcel is being withheld pending payment of duties, redelivery fees or verification charges. Victims are directed to click on links leading to counterfeit websites designed to harvest personal and banking information.

A growing variant involves Cash-on-Delivery (COD) scams, where consumers receive unsolicited parcels at their doorstep — deliveries they never ordered. Assuming the parcel was perhaps a gift or a forgotten purchase, victims pay the COD amount upon delivery, only to find the package empty or containing a low-value item worth far less than what they paid.

Common red flags include:
• Unexpected messages about parcels that were never ordered;
• Requests for payment via online transfer, e-wallet or prepaid card;
• COD payment demanded for a parcel you never ordered;
• Links to websites with unusual or misspelt domain names; or
• Urgency tactics pressuring you to act immediately or face parcel being returned to sender.

“Postal and courier scams are an organised threat that exploits the trust consumers place in the delivery ecosystem. Postal Forum takes this seriously — our mandate is to protect consumers and uphold the integrity of the postal and courier industry,” said Nurhafizah Hanifah, Head of Postal Forum.

She added that when scammers impersonate legitimate operators, it is the reputation of the entire sector that suffers. In that regard, she cited obligations of postal and courier operators to uphold selfregulatory standards — active communication with consumers through verified channels, disclosure of official contact points, and prompt reporting of fraudulent impersonation to the relevant authorities are not only aligned with established best practices, but are also critical steps in curbing the crime.

“Self-regulation only works when every industry player takes ownership and this is the moment to demonstrate that commitment.”

WHAT SHOULD THE PUBLIC DO

Postal Forum advises the public to exercise vigilance and take the following preventive steps:-

1. Track what you order — reject what you didn't

If you are expecting a parcel, track its movement through the official tracking mechanism made available by the relevant courier service provider. If you receive a delivery notification for something you never ordered, you are strongly urged to avoid clicking on suspicious links or responding to the notifications. Refuse the parcel and report the incident.

2. For COD purchases, inspect before you pay

If a COD parcel arrives that you did not order, do not pay. Scammers send unsolicited parcels knowing that some recipients will pay first and ask questions later. If you pay and open the package to find it empty or containing a cheap item, the money is lost. Always refuse COD payment for deliveries you cannot verify.

3. Verify before you act

Scammers are now sophisticated, where messages that used to appear as an obvious scam tactic may now appear more formal and can cause genuine panic. Stay calm and contact your courier or postal service provider directly using details from their official website to verify – not from any links in a suspicious message.

4. Do not click unfamiliar links

Phishing links often mimic real courier tracking pages. Look out for minor misspellings or replacement of numerical or alphabetical characters in website addresses which often look too similar to the original link. Always type the official URL directly into your browser.

5. Never pay through informal channels

Legitimate operators do not request payment via personal bank transfers, e-wallets, or prepaid cards for customs or redelivery fees. By standards under the Code of Practice for Postal Services (CPPS), there should not be any hidden charges and any such fees should have been accounted for at the point of shipment booking.

6. Report suspicious messages

If you receive a suspicious message or have been a victim of a scam, lodge a report with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) or contact the National Scams Response Centre (NSRC) hotline at 997.

7. Share awareness

Help protect family and friends, especially elderly relatives, by sharing this information.

Postal Forum urges the public to stop, verify, and avoid clicking on unfamiliar links or making payments without first confirming directly with your courier service provider through official channels. “Legitimate postal and courier operators will never request personal banking details or urgent fee payments through unofficial messaging platforms. When in doubt, visit the official website or call the verified hotline,” Nurhafizah reiterated.

POSTAL FORUM’S COMMITMENT

Postal Forum continues to work with industry players and MCMC to strengthen consumer protection standards across the postal and courier sector. Ongoing initiatives include consumer advocacy and research, complaint resolution coordination, and the Code of Practice for Postal Services (CPPS) as the benchmark for service standards, underpinning a safer delivery experience for all Malaysians.

Members of the public with complaints relating to postal or courier services may also channel their concerns via MCMC Consumer Redress Portal at https://aduan.mcmc.gov.my/ or email to feedback@postalforum.my.

Issued by:

Postal Forum
Secretariat — Advocacy and Communications Unit
Date: 22 JUNE 2026

About Postal Forum

Postal Forum is a self-regulatory body designated by the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) under Section 49 and 50 of the Postal Services Act 2012 (Act 741) to give feedback and make recommendations to the MCMC on matters concerning the interest of consumers of the postal and courier services industry.

Amongst our functions are to identify and keep under review matters affecting the consumers, represent consumers' interests including complaints-handling and promote consumers' interest in relation to the tariffs and standards of the postal and courier industry.

Log on to https://postalforum.my/ for more information.

SOURCE: Postal Forum

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Irsalina Rusli
Advocacy & Communications Unit
Tel : +6012-260 0336
Email : irsalina@postalforum.my

--BERNAMA