A new wave of deceptive messages using the name of Albanian Post is circulating again in the country, endangering citizens' personal and financial data. The Directorate for Cybercrime Investigation at the State Police has urged citizens to be cautious, as these messages are sent via SMS and appear as notifications for undelivered packages.
The content typically includes a link where citizens are asked to provide personal or banking information. Albanian Post has also responded, clarifying that these messages are unrelated to its services and that the institution's name is being unlawfully used for fraudulent purposes.
This is a form of fraud known as "smishing," where fake messages aim to obtain sensitive information. After clicking the link, users are directed to fraudulent pages where they are prompted to enter card details or personal information.
Experts in the field warn that such cases are increasing and becoming more sophisticated. Risks include financial losses, identity theft, compromised accounts, and in some cases, the installation of malicious software on devices.
According to them, one reason the post office's name is used is that most citizens have or expect deliveries, making the message appear more credible. At the same time, a lack of digital literacy and hasty phone use increase the likelihood of citizens falling victim to fraud.
Authorities advise against opening suspicious links and sharing personal data via SMS. Albanian Post emphasizes that official communications are only conducted through verified channels and not via messages requesting payments or personal information.