Warning over $150 'mystery box' trend showing unclaimed Australia Post parcels being opened: 'Concerning'
A new 'mystery box' TikTok trend stemming from the US and making waves in Australia has sparked concern for the safety and privacy of Aussie residents.
While 'unboxing' videos have been hugely popular on the internet for years, the latest items being opened by Aussie content creators could have a connection to you or someone you know.
Featured in a growing number of Australian-based videos are 'mystery boxes' containing packages and parcels that are reportedly 'unclaimed' mail that never made it to its intended owner. The packages are still sealed, with labels attached that show the names and addresses of the intended owner.
Among them is a charging station meant for Craig in Queensland. A motorbike part for Mark in Tasmania. A garden hose for Steven in South Australia. New shoes for Belinda in Western Sydney.
A box of five packages is being sold for $50, while larger boxes cost up to $150.
Some packages have Australia Post labelling on them, leading the postal giant to express serious concerns about the mystery boxes and the details left on the labels.
'Australia Post has significant concerns about the inclusion of addressed packaging within these boxes and confirms we have no connection or affiliation with the mystery box scheme,' a spokesperson told Yahoo News.
'We encourage anyone receiving envelopes or mailer boxes with address or personal details included to dispose of them immediately and securely.
'Australia Post urges social media creators to take care when making videos of this nature to avoid revealing customer address details.'
Lost or undeliverable mail is an unfortunate occurrence for AusPost, who handle around 2.5 billion items every year.
In some cases, if items are addressed incorrectly or if a label falls off, the parcels are returned to AusPost's Mail Redistribution Centre, where they are opened and catalogued.
After two months, if the owners can't be found or no-one has submitted a 'lost mail' enquiry, the items may be auctioned for charity.
One of the approved auction houses is Theodore Bruce, who say they have recently sold a variety of designer and luxury goods that came from unclaimed packages.
These include:
Louis Vuitton Handbags
Smartphones, laptops and tablets
Sneakers and trainers such as Nike and Yeezy
Kitchen appliances including Thermomix
Designer sunglasses, watches and clothes
AusPost said unlike the now-viral mail boxes, they would never sell 'mystery' items, only products from opened packages that can be checked over before being sold. They also never approve any item to be sold if they contain identifying markings or labels.
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