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In fact, recent Citizens Advice research shows that nearly half (49 per cent) of all scam attempts reported in 2023 were linked to fake delivery messages.
These scams usually start with a text or email claiming to be from a delivery company – often using familiar names like Royal Mail, DPD, or Evri.
The message will say there’s been a missed delivery or that a parcel is waiting to be dispatched, and then ask you to click a link to reschedule or pay a small fee.
Don’t be fooled – delivery companies will never ask for payment through a link in a text.
Once you click that link, you may be taken to a fake website that looks official but is designed to steal your personal or financial information. Some people only realise they’ve been scammed after noticing suspicious activity on their bank account.
Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Many fake delivery websites look almost identical to the real thing. And once they’ve got your details, scammers may use them in further fraud, such as pretending to be your bank or other trusted institutions.
How to Protect Yourself from Parcel Scams:
- Be sceptical of any unexpected delivery messages – especially those asking for payment or personal details.
- Never click on links in suspicious emails or texts. Instead, go directly to the courier’s official website or use their app to track any legitimate deliveries.
- Report it: If you’ve entered personal or banking information into a suspicious site, contact your bank immediately and report the scam to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk.
- Forward scam texts to 7726 (free) and report phishing emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
Remember: if something doesn’t feel right, don’t engage with it. Delivery companies won’t contact you out of the blue asking for money.
Stay cautious, stay informed – and help protect yourself and others from these increasingly common scams.
