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UK Finance is warning online bargain hunters to be wary of scam parcel texts after new data revealed that just over half (55.94%) of all reported “smishing” messages in the final three months of this year have claimed to be from delivery firms.
Huge numbers of parcels are expected by households over the coming days as keen shoppers snap up online deals in the Boxing Day and early January sales.
However, the trade association representing banks and other financial firms, said the number of delivery text scams has more than tripled when compared to the same period in 2020, when 16.37 per cent bogus texts were about parcels.
UK Finance obtained the figures from cybersecurity company Proofpoint, which operates the 7726 text message system on behalf of mobile phone operators – the system allows customers to instantly report suspect texts.
The reports are being used by the National Cyber Security Centre to take down fraudulent website URLs and prevent further losses to scams.
Fake texts often claim the courier has been unable to make a delivery and ask the recipient to pay a fee or provide additional details in order to rearrange delivery.
There is then a link to a fake website asking for personal and financial information.
UK Finance is also warning shoppers to look out for purchase scams.
It said social media platforms and auction websites are increasingly being used by criminals to carry out these scams, in which a customer pays in advance for goods or services that are never received.
Katy Worobec, managing director of economic crime at UK Finance, said: “Scrooge-like criminals are using the festive season to try and trick people out of their cash. Whether you’re shopping online or waiting for deliveries over the festive period, it’s important to be on the lookout for scams.”
Jacinta Tobin, vice-president of Cloudmark Operations for Proofpoint, said: “Consumers need to be very sceptical of mobile messages that come from unknown sources.
“It’s important to never click on links in text messages, no matter how realistic they look. If you want to contact the purported vendor sending you a link, do so directly through their website and always manually enter the web address/URL.
“For offer codes, type them directly into the site as well. It’s also vital that you don’t respond to strange texts or texts from unknown sources. Doing so will often confirm you’re a real person to future scammers.”
How to spot a fake text
Scam texts and emails often appear to have been sent by the Royal Mail, DPD, DHL, Hermes or other delivery companies, according to Trading Standards Scotland.
These texts could often be sent from a number which has masked the sender ID or lead to a cloned delivery website.
They could look like the following messages:
- Your package has a £2.99 unpaid shipping fee.Pay now by tapping on this link… If not paid are turn to sender will be requested.
- The freight payment for your package was declined. To get your parcel delivered to your desired destination point you need to pay an extra delivery fee of £1.99. Pay freight.
- Your Royal Mail parcel is awaiting delivery. Please confirm the settlement of 1.99 (GBP) using the following link…
- We’re sorry to let you know that your package which arrived on 28/12/21 will be sent back. This may happen when the receiver’s address is incorrect. To redeliver please fill out the form: Redeliver your parcel.
- We attempted to deliver your package at 12:35 on 28/12/21 but nobody was available. Your parcel was returned to our depot and you need to reschedule your package delivery by pressing here…
- DPD: Sorry we missed you. To book your delivery for another day please visit this link
How can I tell if a message about a delivery is a scam?
The Royal Mail will never send you an unexpected text message or an email asking for personal or payment details.
They do not collect shipping costs by email or text. If you need to pay an extra delivery charge, they will post a card through your door to let you know.
Scam emails often use impersonal greetings such as ‘Dear Royal Mail Customer’ and they may contain spelling and grammatical mistakes.
Scam delivery messages usually ask you to act urgently in order to avoid losing a package.
Trading Standards Scotland said: “Be suspicious of any message which appears to be from an official company or organisation and tells you that you must provide your details or a payment within a certain time frame.”
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What should I do if I get one of these messages?
The aim of these messages is to obtain your personal details and payment information.
They often ask you to click on a link, which will lead to a website with official-looking branding and logos.
Trading Standards Scotland said: “Never click on links in unexpected emails or text messages and never enter any payment or personal details.
“If you are unsure whether a message about a delivery is genuine, contact the company using details found on their official website or in a telephone directory.
“Report all scams to Advice Direct Scotland using their free consumer helpline: 0808 164 6000 or via their online reporting tool atwww.scamwatch.scot.
“If you have lost money or are worried that you have given your bank details to scammers, contact Police Scotland on 101.”
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