Smishing attacks are growing rapidly, and trusted brands like PostNord are commonly exploited to deceive users. Here’s how these scams work, who is most at risk, and what you can do to stay secure.
What are smishing attacks, and why are they so dangerous?
Smishing, short for SMS phishing, is a form of social engineering where cybercriminals send fraudulent text messages to trick recipients into clicking malicious links, downloading malware, or sharing sensitive information. These messages often impersonate legitimate companies and create a false sense of urgency to prompt impulsive action.
"Smishing campaigns that impersonate trusted brands like PostNord are becoming more sophisticated, more frequent, and more convincing."
Smishing is particularly effective because it targets mobile users in real time, appearing in their daily stream of messages. SMS also lacks the advanced filters found in email systems, allowing malicious messages to bypass traditional defenses.
Attackers frequently use URL shorteners and spoofed sender IDs, making it difficult to distinguish fake messages from real ones.
Why cybercriminals imitate brands like PostNord
Cybercriminals tend to impersonate widely trusted brands to increase the credibility of their scams. In the Nordics, PostNord is a frequent target, due in part to its broad user base and routine delivery notifications. According to PostNord’s official fraud alert page, phishing messages pretending to be from PostNord are on the rise, and many include links to fraudulent payment or tracking portals.
In one such case reported by Infosecurity Magazine, Danish users received fake texts urging them to pay customs fees, which is an increasingly common pretense in smishing campaigns. Similarly, a report by Heimdal Security revealed that many of these messages led to fake PostNord websites built to steal personal information or banking credentials.
Another cybersecurity bulletin published via Cyware confirmed that attackers often mirror the look and language of official PostNord communications, further increasing the risk of successful deception.
Who is most at risk?
While it's easy to assume that older adults are the most vulnerable, our behavioral insights show that Gen X and Millennials (ages 35–55) are actually the most frequent victims of smishing attacks. These groups rely heavily on smartphones for both personal and professional communication and are often distracted, multitasking, and under time pressure.
As detailed in What Is Security Awareness Training and Why Is It Important?, this makes them more susceptible to the psychological manipulation tactics at the heart of social engineering.
Five ways to prevent smishing attacks:
1. Launch targeted security awareness training
The first line of defense is awareness. The 7 Steps to Implement Security Awareness Training guide explains how customized learning paths, microlearning, and real-world simulations help employees recognize threats like smishing in real time.
2. Verify delivery notifications
If you receive an SMS about a parcel you weren’t expecting, verify it through PostNord’s official app or website, never via a link in the text. Fraudsters count on urgency and familiarity to bypass critical thinking.
3. Avoid clicking links in text messages
Even messages that look legitimate can be spoofed. It’s safer to open your browser and manually enter the URL of the service provider.
4. Use Anti-phishing policies and tools
As explained in Reduce the Risk of Phishing Attacks with an Anti-Phishing Policy, organizations should adopt technical controls and written policies that address mobile threats, including SMS filtering and phishing simulations.
5. Report suspicious messages
In Sweden, you can forward smishing attempts to 7726. Within your company, you can report suspicious messages to your IT team to help monitor and block ongoing campaigns. Every report helps to make people aware.
Gaining executive buy-in for a security investment
If you’re trying to secure resources to address risks like smishing at scale, it’s crucial to present the business case clearly. Nimblr’s How to Convince Your Executives to Invest in Cybersecurity outlines effective ways to frame cybersecurity as risk management and brand protection, especially when social engineering is a growing attack vector.
Conclusion: Don’t let familiarity be a trap
Smishing campaigns that impersonate trusted brands like PostNord are becoming more sophisticated, more frequent, and more convincing. As seen in recent campaigns documented by PostNord, Infosecurity Magazine, Cyware, and Heimdal Security, the attackers are not slowing down.
However, with the right awareness programs, policies, and tools, smishing attacks can be anticipated and avoided. Your phone may be the attacker’s entry point, but your vigilance can be the firewall.
