SF Express (Hong Kong) announced today (April 14) it will cease all SMS delivery notifications effective immediately, transitioning exclusively to in-app alerts through its official mobile application in a bid to combat rampant smishing (SMS phishing) scams targeting customers.
The logistics giant revealed it received over 800 fraud-related inquiries and reports in Q1 2024 – a staggering 400% year-on-year increase. Scammers have been impersonating SF Express via text messages, falsely claiming incomplete delivery addresses or additional shipping fees to trick recipients into divulging personal data or making payments through fraudulent websites.
"This decisive move eliminates scammers' ability to spoof our SMS channels," stated the company. Customers must now enable push notifications through the SF Hong Kong app to receive parcel collection alerts. The firm emphasized the app's built-in security features, including encrypted identity verification for payment requests.
The Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department reported a citywide high spike in courier-related fraud cases in 2023. SF Express becomes the first major Hong Kong logistics firm to completely abandon SMS notifications, setting a precedent others may follow.
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