TL;DR: Courier scam activity climbs through the Diwali and year-end festive season, roughly October–December. Track deliveries only through the official courier app or website, and never pay a 'customs' or 'redelivery' fee through a link sent by SMS.
Courier scam activity climbs through the Diwali and year-end festive season, roughly October–December.
How the Scam Plays Out
Fake 'delivery failed' or 'customs duty pending' SMS messages link to phishing pages asking for a small payment and full card details, while fraudulent calls claim a parcel is being held and needs urgent 'verification' payment.
How to Protect Yourself
Track deliveries only through the official courier app or website, and never pay a 'customs' or 'redelivery' fee through a link sent by SMS.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading Income Tax Filing Season Scams (India).
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see IPL Betting App Scams.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does this typically happen?
Courier scam activity climbs through the Diwali and year-end festive season, roughly October–December.
What tactics are used?
Fake 'delivery failed' or 'customs duty pending' SMS messages link to phishing pages asking for a small payment and full card details, while fraudulent calls claim a parcel is being held and needs urgent 'verification' payment.
How can I protect myself?
Track deliveries only through the official courier app or website, and never pay a 'customs' or 'redelivery' fee through a link sent by SMS.
What should I do if I’ve already been targeted?
Stop all payments immediately, contact your bank or card issuer to see if a transaction can be reversed or flagged, and report the incident to the appropriate consumer protection body.