India Post Scam Alert: Fake Address Update Links Can Steal Bank Details, UPI PIN, Police Warns

Rajasthan Police has issued a cyber fraud advisory warning people about a new scam in which criminals impersonate India Post, Speed Post and major courier companies to steal sensitive financial information and potentially access victims’ bank accounts. The Cyber Crime Branch (R4C) issued the advisory on the directions of Rajasthan Director General of Police Rajiv Kumar Sharma. Additional Director General of Police (Cyber Crime) V.K. Singh said fraudsters are approaching people through SMS, WhatsApp, email and phone calls while posing as representatives of postal and courier services.

How the India Post Address Update Scam Works

According to the advisory, victims receive messages claiming that a parcel has been put on hold because the delivery address is incorrect. The message may suggest that the parcel contains important documents or valuable items and warn that it could be returned unless the address is updated immediately.

The message then provides a link asking the recipient to correct or update the delivery address. Fraudsters use fake websites designed to resemble genuine postal or courier portals to make the process appear legitimate. In some cases, scammers also send malicious APK files. Installing an unknown application can compromise a mobile phone and potentially give criminals access to sensitive information and device functions. Truecaller Scam Checker: Know How Does This New Feature Work to Detect Fraud?.

Small Payment Used to Target Bank Details

After directing victims to a fake website, scammers may ask them to pay a small amount, such as Rs 10, Rs 25 or Rs 50, for the alleged address correction. Victims can then be prompted to enter debit or credit card details, net-banking credentials or UPI PINs. Rajasthan Police warned that criminals can use the information to carry out unauthorised transactions and steal money from bank accounts.

Rajasthan Police Issues Safety Guidelines

The Cyber Crime Branch has advised people to track India Post or Speed Post consignments only through official channels instead of clicking links received in unsolicited messages. India Post's official website provides mail tracking and other postal services, while its official customer-care number is 1800-266-6868. People have also been advised to carefully check website addresses before entering personal or financial information. The Rajasthan government's cyber-security resources have separately issued advisories on fake courier scams, malicious APK files, call-forwarding fraud and other phishing-related threats.

Police have urged citizens not to share confidential banking information, card details, CVV, PINs or other sensitive credentials in response to unsolicited calls or messages. People should also avoid downloading unknown applications or making payments through suspicious links. Rajasthan Police has further advised users to check their mobile call-forwarding settings and block suspicious senders. WhatsApp Scam Alert Feature: How Does It Work?.

What To Do If You Become a Victim

Anyone who loses money in a cyber fraud should report the incident immediately through the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930. Complaints can also be submitted through the government's National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Rajasthan Police has urged people to remain particularly cautious when a message creates a sense of urgency around parcel delivery, address correction or the threat of a shipment being returned. The key warning is simple: do not click unsolicited parcel-tracking or address-update links, and verify delivery information directly through the official postal or courier website before taking any action.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 01, 2026 11:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).