Shoppers warned of ‘spray and pray’ delivery scams – everything you need to know – The Mirror
As Black Friday looms, experts warn of a surge in ‘spray and pray’ delivery scams. Read these eight essential points to spot fraud and protect your money during the busy festive season
The Home Office and courier firm Evri are warning consumers about a significant spike in delivery fraud(Image: Prostock-Studio via Getty Images)
Everything you need to know about ‘spray and pay’ parcel delivery scams
As Black Friday and the festive season approach, the Home Office and courier firm Evri are warning consumers about a significant spike in delivery fraud. Last year alone, Evri received nearly 10,000 reports of fraud during this specific shopping period, highlighting the massive scale of the threat.
Cybercriminals are using a method called “spray and pray,” where they send thousands of fake messages simultaneously in the hopes of reaching people who are genuinely expecting a parcel. This tactic is particularly effective during the holidays because shoppers are often distracted and managing a high volume of deliveries.
Fraudsters send convincing text messages or emails that appear to be from trusted couriers, claiming that a parcel is undeliverable or requires immediate action. These messages urge victims to click on links that lead to fake websites, where they are tricked into handing over personal information or making payments.
A major red flag to watch out for is any request for a “redelivery fee,” as scammers often use this to extract money from victims. Evri has clarified that they will attempt delivery three times before returning an item and will never ask a customer to pay a fee for redelivery.
Beyond delivery scams, criminals are also targeting bargain hunters by advertising non-existent or poor-quality items using high-pressure sales tactics like limited-time offers. This online shopping fraud is costly, with UK consumers losing approximately £11.8 million to such schemes during the last Christmas period.
To protect the public, the government has partnered with mobile networks to block spoofed numbers and has already successfully stopped over one billion scam text messages. This strengthened fraud strategy aims to disrupt malicious operations and make it much harder for scammers to reach potential victims.
Shoppers are advised to avoid paying by bank transfer and should instead use credit cards, which offer better protection against fraud. If you receive a suspicious message about a delivery, do not click the link; instead, verify the status of your package via the official company app or website.
Consumers should activate 2-step verification (2SV) on their email and shopping accounts to ensure that criminals cannot access them even if they steal a password. Additionally, you should report suspicious emails to [email protected] and forward any scam text messages to 7726 free of charge.
Read the full story here: Christmas shoppers warned over ‘spray and pray’ delivery scams
