We all know the feeling of eagerly awaiting a delivery, whether it’s a special occasion outfit or a much-needed household item. The countdown begins the moment you click ‘order’. So when a text message from ‘Royal Mail’ pops up saying your parcel requires a £2 customs charge, you probably won’t think twice. A quick tap, enter your card details, and job done.
However, that seemingly innocent message has just given fraudsters all they need to empty your bank account and steal your identity. These scams, known as ‘phantom parcel’ cons, are tricking Brits every day, reports the Express.
A spokesperson at OddsMonkey said: “These dangerous scams prey on our expectation of deliveries. When you’re waiting for parcels, especially during busy shopping periods, your guard is naturally down.”
How the scam works
The scammers send texts, emails or WhatsApp messages pretending to be major delivery companies like Royal Mail, DPD, Evri or DHL. They claim a small fee, usually between £1 and £3, is needed for redelivery or customs processing.
Victims are then directed to fake websites that look remarkably like the real courier sites, complete with official logos and corporate branding.
The timing makes these scams particularly devastating. With constant deliveries year-round, millions of us are genuinely expecting packages at any given moment. Furthermore, the modest amounts being demanded often appear trivial enough that people pay without hesitation.
The threat of delayed or returned parcels generates a sense of urgency that overrides our normal vigilance. The expert added: “It’s not just about the small fee they’re asking for. Once they have your card details and personal information, they can make much larger purchases or even steal your identity for more serious fraud.”
Protect yourself
Never click on links in unexpected parcel messages, even if you are anticipating deliveries. Instead, navigate directly to the courier’s official website and check your tracking there.
Scrutinise the sender carefully – scam messages often come from suspicious email addresses like ‘royalmailsupport@delivery-info. co’ rather than official domains. If uncertain, call the courier using the phone number from their official website, not any number provided in the message.
Remember that legitimate courier companies will never demand payment via text or email links for standard deliveries or customs fees on domestic parcels. If you receive a dodgy message, send scam texts to 7726 and suspicious emails to [email protected].
Should you have already provided your details, contact your bank straight away to flag possible fraud.
The spokesperson added: “The best defence is awareness. If you’re expecting a parcel and get a message asking for payment, take a moment to verify it directly with the courier. Those few extra minutes could save you hundreds of pounds and a major headache.”
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