Royal Mail says fake delivery texts, emails and cards demanding fees are rising. A tap on the wrong link could cost you money or personal details.
Royal Mail is warning that fake parcel messages are on the rise. Scam texts, emails, websites and cards can look convincing, and they often pretend to be delivery notices or requests for a fee. The company's advice is simple: do not click links or open attachments in a message that claims to be from Royal Mail.
Royal Mail shared the warning in a social media post. It said scams often claim there is a problem with your parcel and push you to act fast. It asked people to stop and check for warning signs before they click a link, scan a QR code or pay anything. The company did not say in this warning how big the rise is.
A fake link can lead to a fraudulent website that asks for your payment details or login information. Some scam emails ask you to reschedule a delivery through a link. Others pretend to come from HMRC or customs. If you are waiting on an online order, a parcel message feels normal, which is why these scams work.
Royal Mail only texts or emails you if the sender asked for tracking updates when posting the item. It may also send a text or email about customs fees if the sender gave your contact details, along with a grey "Fee to Pay" card. For an underpaid item, it leaves that grey card. It does not ask for payment by text or email. It also never asks for bank details, passwords or personal data, and it does not email attachments unless you asked for them.
Pressure is the biggest clue. Scammers want you to rush. Royal Mail says it does not.
The alert box above covers how to report scam emails and texts. If scam mail arrives through your letterbox, Royal Mail says to fill in its online scam mail form and contact Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133.
If you did not ask Royal Mail for tracking updates, treat a message from it as fake, and never pay a parcel fee through a link.
The Attala County Sheriff's Office in Mississippi says scam calls are reaching residents, and a call that sounds official may not be.
Read more: Mississippi sheriff warns residents about scam phone callsScammers are posing as Texas sheriff's officers and claiming you missed jury duty. Caller ID can show a real police number even when the call is fake.
Read more: Fake jury duty calls spoof a real Texas sheriff's phone numberFake PayPal emails and texts, some posing as a security report, try to get you to tap a link and type your login. Checking your account directly avoids the trap.
Read more: Got a fake PayPal message? Skip its link and check your account yourself
