Royal Mail warning issued over parcel delivery text scam
The scam begins with a text message claiming a parcel delivery attempt has failed. It contains a link to reschedule or pay a small fee - often just £1.99 or £2.99.
But the link leads to a fake Royal Mail website designed to steal personal and financial details.
Paul Hampson, CEO of fraud and scams experts CEL Solicitors, said: 'It's terrifyingly believable.
"These messages look and sound exactly like the real thing, and with so many of us expecting parcels at any given time, it's incredibly easy to fall for.'
Once a victim clicks the link and enters their information, scammers often follow up with a phone call, pretending to be from the victim's bank.
'They'll say your account has been compromised and ask you to transfer your money to a 'safe' account,' Mr Hampson explained.
'This is where people lose thousands - it's sophisticated and cruel.'
This type of scam has resurfaced repeatedly over the past few years, especially during lockdown and peak delivery periods like Christmas, Black Friday and the summer sales.
'We saw this exact scam go viral back in 2021, and sadly it's just as effective now,' Mr Hampson said.
'Scammers recycle what works - they tweak the details, but the core tactic is the same.
'The branding is spot-on, the language feels official, and the sense of urgency is designed to bypass your common sense.
'Even people who think they'd never fall for a scam can be caught off guard.'
CEL Solicitors has seen a marked rise in delivery-related scams over the past 12 months, with losses ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of pounds.
Mr Hampson's advice is clear: don't click the link. 'If you receive a message like this, go directly to the official Royal Mail website and track your delivery there.
"Never give out your details via a text link.'
He also urges the public to report scam messages by forwarding them to 7726, a free service used by mobile networks to investigate fraud.
'Scammers rely on panic and speed,' he said. 'If something doesn't feel right, slow down, double-check, and always trust your instincts.'
Recommended reading:
Royal Mail to increase stamp prices again this April
How to make a claim if your Royal Mail parcel goes missing
Royal Mail: Can I still use old first and second-class stamps?
To verify if a text from Royal Mail is genuine, check if it's asking for personal information or payments, as Royal Mail won't do this.
If the text includes a link, be cautious and don't click on it unless you've independently confirmed it's a genuine Royal Mail link.
You can also visit the Royal Mail website to report suspicious messages or check for current scam alerts.
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