Online shopper issues an urgent warning about Australia Post scam that is very hard to detect: Here's how to make sure you don't get caught out Woman received text claiming shipment failed Link to Australia Post site looked legitimate Would have been scammed if parcel hadn't arrived Australia Post never requests payment via text or email By Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail Australia Published: 07:54, 15 August 2023 | Updated: 07:54, 15 August 2023 e-mail View comments Aussies are urged to be on high alert about a new Australia Post text message scam after a savvy online shopper almost got caught out. A Sydney woman who was moments away from being scammed has detailed the close call and the dead giveaways she initially failed to notice, hoping others won't be fooled. The online shopper told Daily Mail Australia she was waiting on a package from beauty retailer Mecca last week when she received a text which contained an online link to click on. 'Tips: Your shipment failed. Please update your shipping address,' the text read. The woman was waiting on a parcel when she received a text claiming her shipment had failed Australia Post has reminded customers to be vigilant about text message scams. Pictured is a woman holding parcels The woman clicked on the link and was directed to what looked liked a legitimate Australia Post website, which requested an updated address for package delivery. Oblivious to the fake URL at the bottom of the site, she filled in the online form when a second page requesting her credit card details. 'Please be informed that a redelivery fee will be charged. This is to cover the additional costs incurred,' the site read. The woman was moments away from completing the transaction when the package she was waiting for arrived on her desk. It was only then she realised how close she came to being scammed. 'I was shocked at how real the text message was,' she said. 'I never fall for these types of scams, but because the website looked so real and I knew my package was on the way I thought it was 100 per cent legitimate.' 'I also find it terrifying these scammers know exactly when you are about to receive a package.' Australia Post said the story was a timely reminder that the company will never contact anyone via SMS or email asking for personal or financial information or payments. The website detail at the bottom of the online page was a dead giveaway that the Australia Post message was a scam 'We’re seeing a greater public awareness of cybersecurity but encourage customers to stay alert for signs of a scam, including messages asking you to click on a link, a non-Australia Post web address, or an unusual sense of urgency,' a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia. 'We also encourage customers to download the Australia Post app, which is the most reliable and secure way to receive delivery updates because it uses push notifications that can’t be replicated by scammers. Customers who received a suspicious text or email that appears to be from Australia Post are urged to report it to scams@auspost.com.au and to delete the message from their devices immediately. The shocked online shopper was moments away from completing the requested transaction (pictured) when her parcel arrived Share or comment on this article: Online shopper issues an urgent warning about Australia Post scam that is very hard to detect: Here's how to make sure you don't get caught out e-mail Add comment Comments 0 Share what you think No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. Add your comment Enter your comment By posting your comment you agree to our house rules . Submit Comment Clear Close Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. No Yes Close Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy .