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Royal Mail has warned people in the UK about two scams currently doing the rounds.
Scam texts and emails are being sent targeting people’s bank accounts.
The messages ask customers to give up their personal and bank information by telling them they’ll otherwise fail to have their parcel delivered.
One of the scams is circulating by text and email, which tell people to make payments to make sure their parcels can get delivered.
The text states: “Royal Mail: your package has a £2.99 shipping fee, to pay this now visit.”
Hoax texts have been followed by malicious emails – but Royal Mail has issued a response
“Actions will be taken if you do not pay this fee,” the text adds.
It links to a fake Royal Mail website to trick people into giving their details.
Royal Mail is warning people not to be fooled.
Royal Mail said: “Royal Mail will only send email and SMS notifications to customers where the sender has requested this when using our trackable products that offer this service.
“The only time we would ask customers to make a payment in an email or SMS is if a customs fee is due.
“In this case, we will also leave a grey card telling them there’s a fee to pay, either for the international customs fee or a surcharge for an underpaid item, before we can release the item.
“This may arrive later than the email or SMS.”
Another scam has been reported by 1,700 people to Action Fraud.
It involves emails which claim a parcel has not been delivered.
The message warns that the “package” will be returned to the sender if personal details including card number, security code, sort code, account number and mother’s maiden name are not added to a form.
ActionFraud tweeted: “Watch out for these fake Royal Mail emails.
“They’ve been reported to us over 1,700 times…Help us remove malicious emails and websites like these by forwarding suspicious emails to: report@phishing.gov.uk.”
Advice from Royal Mail:
How to spot a fake email
Check at the top. Fraudsters often use subjects or greetings that are impersonal and general, like “Attention Royal Mail Customer”.
They may use a forged email address in the “from” field like “delivery@royalmail.com”.
They may even use the Royal Mail logo.
The sender, subject and content may change slightly but often they:
- state there’s a parcel waiting to be collected
- ask for payment before an item can be released for delivery
- prompts you to open a link or document
- asks you to send a text message or call a phone premium rate phone number
Protect your information
Never send sensitive, personal information, security details or credit card numbers by email
Never click on a link in an email if you are unsure about it, especially if it asks for personal financial information, this might attempt to install malware on to your computer
Make sure you have a spam filter on your email account
Reporting potential scams
If you receive a suspicious email or discover a Royal Mail branded website which you think is fraudulent, let them know by completing an online form.
If you have been the victim of a payment scam, you can get a crime reference number by reporting it to your local police station.
