The South Africa Post Office has warned the public of a recent parcel delivery scam involving a company called ‘Speed Messenger Services’ that uses an adaptation of the Post Office’s Speed Services logo.
In a statement, the Post Office said the scammers sent out letters demanding payment for import duties on parcels before the parcels can be delivered.
The statement made it clear that the Post Office did not require customers to make payment before parcels were released.
“If VAT or any other fees are payable on a parcel, this is paid at a Post Office counter at the time the parcel is collected. The customer will receive a valid receipt for this payment.”
The state-owned enterprise confirmed that in cases where the Post Office had the cell phone number of the recipient, the customer would receive an SMS requesting him or her to collect the parcel at a specific post office branch.
“The SMS will not request that funds be deposited into an account,” the Post Office said.
Members of the public that have information regarding this scam are requested to call the SA Police Service or the Post Office’s crime buster hotline on 0800 020 070. – Zoë van Rooyen
