Scam alert: Australia Post fraud targeting online marketplace users

Users of Facebook Marketplace are being urged to stay vigilant as scammers increasingly target sellers with fake payment schemes linked to Australia Post.

Fraudsters are contacting genuine sellers and sending malicious links or QR codes that lead to counterfeit Australia Post websites. These fake pages are designed to trick users into entering personal and financial details under the guise of arranging payment or item collection.

Authorities warn that Australia Post never facilitates payments between buyers and sellers and will not send links or QR codes requesting payment information. Any such request should be treated as a scam.

The rise in these fraudulent activities comes amid a surge in online marketplace transactions, with Australians spending billions annually. According to Scamwatch, unusual payment methods, urgent requests, and suspicious links are key red flags.

In 2025 alone, Australians lost a staggering $2.18 billion to scams, with phishing and payment redirection scams among the most common.

Users are advised to only use official Australia Post channels, avoid clicking on unknown links, and report suspicious activity immediately to Australia Post or Scamwatch to help combat these growing threats.