Australia Post has warned people to be careful of emails and text messages they receive, with the scam making people think they've missed a delivery from Australia Post and encouraging them to click a link to arrange a delivery time.
With so many people sending Christmas cards and packages, not to mention the amount of shopping that is done online at this time of year, is probably doesn't seem out of the ordinary, however, the postal company has encouraged customers to be vigilant when opening links that look like they've been sent from them.
Yahoo reports Australia Post saying in a statement, 'Please note that Australia Post will never email or SMS message you asking you to click on a link to print out a receipt/label for parcel collection/tracking.
'Nor will Australia Post email you asking for your personal or financial information, including any form of ID, passwords, credit card details and account information or ask you to verify any information.'
The email making the rounds, which includes Australia Post branding, tricks unsuspecting people into thinking that a delivery was attempted when they weren't home.
'Dear sir/madam,' it starts.
'Our mail carrier tried to deliver a package to you. Unfortunately no one was present to receive the package. Choose when and where you want to receive your package. You will see the options for changing the delivery on the next page.'
Worryingly, the link could actually infect your computer, tablet or smartphone with a virus and steal your personal information.
Security company MailGuard told Yahoo that it was incredibly dangerous to click on an unknown link.
'The link would take you to a zipped file that contains malware and can do a lot of damage, installing spyware or viruses,' he warned.
Typically, Australia Post will leave a calling card in your mail box if you aren’t home with instructions on where to collect or when they will reattempt delivery.