How to protect yourself from the ‘India post’ scam

A fraudulent message, allegedly from ‘India Post’, is doing rounds. Here is what what to keep an eye out for.

India Post is the trusted government-run postal service in the country. (Express photo by Subham Dutta/Representational)

A fraudulent message, allegedly from ‘India Post’, is doing the rounds, targeting vulnerable individuals. Many people have taken to the social media platform X about receiving the bogus message

Received this message from India Post. fake msg carrying a title of India Post which is one of the country’s top postal services. The scam alerts recipients to the failure of a delivery due to incomplete address information and requests that they click on a link @IndiaPostOffice pic.twitter.com/4mZMmX6T3x

— Neha Anand (@Neha_anand11) June 12, 2024

Here is what you need to know about the scam, and how to keep yourself safe.

What is the scam?

People have been receiving messages attributed to India Post from random phone numbers and email addresses. The message reads:

“Your package has arrived at the warehouse and we attempted delivery twice but were unable to due to incomplete address details within 48 hours, otherwise your package will be returned. Please update address in the link: https://indiapostpu.vip/IN… After the update is completed we will redeliver within 24 hours, India Post”

After someone clicks on the provided link, and enters their details, a website resembling the official India Post site appears. The website presents a random tracking ID along with a delivery failure notification, prompting the user to update their address.

The scam aims to steal personal information of the recipients and cause financial harm. Last month, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check posted about the message being fake.

Have you also received an SMS from @IndiaPostOffice stating that your package has arrived at the warehouse, further asking you to update your address details within 48 hours to avoid the package being returned ⁉️#PIBFactCheck

✔️Beware! This message is #fake pic.twitter.com/8tRfGDqn1r

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) June 17, 2024

The post said that “India Post never sends such messages asking for updating addresses for delivering articles… Do not click on such fraudulent links”.

Notably, this fraudulent link only functions on mobile devices and will not open on a desktop. Recipients can verify the message by checking if it works on both devices.

How to stay safe?

Here are some basic safeguards that everyone should take to ensure that they do not fall for this scam, or other similar scams that are prevalent nowadays.

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Never click on links that ask for your personal details;
Look for language and grammatical errors in the message — these are generally strong indicators of a message being fraudulent;
Always check the contact details of the sender, and ensure that the message comes from a verified source;
Instead of submitting the requested details, consider whether you are actually expecting a package — scamsters thrive on people being in a hurry or panicking;
Always cross check the link provided in a message with that of the original website
If you fall prey to such a scam, immediately shut your device, alert your bank and register a police complaint

Ankita Deshkar

Ankita Deshkar is a Deputy Copy Editor and a dedicated fact-checker at The Indian Express. Based in Maharashtra, she specializes in bridging the gap between technical complexity and public understanding. With a deep focus on Cyber Law, Information Technology, and Public Safety, she leads "The Safe Side" series, where she deconstructs emerging digital threats and financial scams. Ankita is also a certified trainer for the Google News Initiative (GNI) India Training Network, specializing in online verification and the fight against misinformation. She is also an AI trainer with ADiRA (AI for Digital Readiness and Advancement) Professional Background & Expertise Role: Fact-checker & Deputy Copy Editor, The Indian Express Experience: Started working in 2016 Ankita brings a unique multidisciplinary background to her journalism, combining engineering logic with mass communication expertise. Her work often intersects regional governance, wildlife conservation, and digital rights, making her a leading voice on issues affecting Central India, particularly the Vidarbha region. Key focus areas include: Fact-Checking & Verification: As a GNI-certified trainer, she conducts workshops on debunking deepfakes, verifying viral claims, and using OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools. Cyber Law & IT: With postgraduate specialization in Cyber Law, she decodes the legalities of data privacy, digital fraud, and the evolving landscape of intellectual property rights. Public Safety & Health: Through her "The Safe Side" column, she provides actionable intelligence on avoiding "juice jacking," "e-SIM scams," and digital extortion. Regional Reporting: She provides on-ground coverage of high-stakes issues in Maharashtra, from Maoist surrenders in Gadchiroli to critical healthcare updates and wildlife-human conflict in Nagpur. Education & Credentials Ankita is currently pursuing her PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism, focusing on the non-verbal communication through Indian classical dance forms. Her academic foundation includes: MA in Mass Communication (RTM Nagpur University) Bachelors in Electrical Engineering (RTM Nagpur University) Post Graduate Diploma (PGTD) in Cyber Law and Information Technology Specialization in Intellectual Property Rights Recent Notable Coverage Ankita’s reportage is recognized for its investigative depth and emphasis on accountability: Cyber Security: "Lost money to a scam? Act within the 'golden hour' or risk losing it all" — A deep dive into the critical window for freezing fraudulent transactions. Public Health: "From deep coma to recovery: First fully recovered Coldrif patient discharged" — Investigating the aftermath of pharmaceutical toxins and the healthcare response. Governance & Conflict: "Gadchiroli now looks like any normal city: SP Neelotpal" — An analysis of the socio-political shift in Maoist-affected regions. Signature Beat Ankita is best known for her ability to translate "technical jargon into human stories." Whether she is explaining how AI tools like MahaCrimeOS assist the police or exposing the dire conditions of wildlife transit centres, her writing serves as a bridge between specialized knowledge and everyday safety. Contact & Follow X (Twitter): @ankita_deshkar Email: ankita.deshkar@indianexpress.com ... Read More