What Are Parcel Delivery Scams?
Parcel delivery scams involve criminals pretending to be from legitimate courier companies like Royal Mail, DPD, Evri (formerly Hermes), or Amazon. They contact you via phone calls, text messages, or emails claiming there's a problem with your delivery.
The goal is always the same: to trick you into paying fake fees, handing over your bank details, or installing malware on your device. These scams are particularly effective because most of us receive regular deliveries and can't always remember what's arriving when.
Common Delivery Scam Types
- • Phone calls claiming you owe customs or handling fees
- • Text messages with links to fake tracking websites
- • Emails mimicking Royal Mail or courier branding
- • Voicemails threatening to return your parcel
- • Callback scams using premium rate numbers
1. Fake Royal Mail Calls
The most prevalent delivery scam involves criminals calling and claiming to be from Royal Mail. They often use automated voice recordings that sound official, claiming you owe customs fees or that a parcel is being held at a depot.
How It Works
- • Automated call says parcel is being held
- • Claims you owe customs duty or VAT
- • Asks you to "press 1" to pay or speak to agent
- • Transferred to fake operator for card details
- • May ask for remote access to your device
What Royal Mail Actually Does
- ✓ Sends a grey "Fee to Pay" card through your door
- ✓ Never calls to demand immediate payment
- ✓ Fees can be paid online at royalmail.com
- ✓ Or paid when collecting from the delivery office
- ✓ Never asks for remote access to devices
Example Scam Script
"This is an automated message from Royal Mail. A parcel addressed to you is being held at our depot due to unpaid customs charges of £2.99. Press 1 to make payment and arrange delivery. Press 2 to speak to an agent. If no action is taken, the parcel will be returned to sender."
2. Fake Delivery Text Messages (Smishing)
"Smishing" (SMS phishing) scams send text messages pretending to be from DPD, Evri, Royal Mail, or Amazon. They contain links to convincing fake websites designed to steal your payment details.
Common Fake Text Messages
- • "Your parcel could not be delivered. Reschedule: [link]"
- • "DPD: A £1.45 fee is required for delivery: [link]"
- • "Royal Mail: Item held - pay customs here: [link]"
- • "Evri: Update delivery preferences: [link]"
- • "Amazon: Your package is waiting - confirm address: [link]"
How to Spot Fake Texts
- ✓ Check the URL carefully before clicking
- ✓ Legitimate links use official domains (dpd.co.uk)
- ✓ Scam links often have random numbers/letters
- ✓ Look for spelling mistakes and poor grammar
- ✓ Were you actually expecting a delivery?
Danger Zone: Clicking the link takes you to a professional-looking fake website that asks for your card details to pay a small "redelivery fee." Once entered, scammers have your card number and may take much larger amounts, or sell your details to other criminals.
3. Fake Customs Fee Scams
Since Brexit, customs charges on parcels from the EU and overseas have become more common, which scammers exploit. They call or message claiming you owe import duties or VAT on a parcel, using the confusion around new customs rules to seem legitimate.
Warning Signs
- • Call from "HMRC" or "Border Force"
- • Demands immediate payment by phone
- • Threatens parcel destruction or legal action
- • Asks for payment via gift cards or bank transfer
- • Won't provide written confirmation
How Real Customs Fees Work
- ✓ You receive an official letter or card
- ✓ Can pay online with official tracking number
- ✓ Or pay the postman upon delivery
- ✓ HMRC never calls to demand payment
- ✓ Always given time to arrange payment
Remember: If you're expecting an international parcel and need to pay customs, you will receive official written notification. You'll never be pressured to pay immediately over the phone.
4. Premium Rate Callback Scams
Some scammers leave voicemails or send texts with a phone number to call about your "delivery." The number is actually a premium rate line that charges up to £3.60 per minute, and they keep you on hold as long as possible.
How to Spot Them
- • Numbers starting with 09 (premium rate)
- • Numbers starting with 070 (personal numbers)
- • Unusually long hold times with "music"
- • No one ever answers properly
- • Vague message about a "delivery"
Legitimate Courier Numbers
- ✓ Royal Mail: 03457 740 740
- ✓ DPD: 0121 275 0500
- ✓ Evri: 0330 808 5456
- ✓ Amazon: Via your account online
- ✓ Always use numbers from official websites
Cost Warning: Premium rate numbers (09xx) can cost up to £3.60 per minute plus your phone provider's access charge. A 10-minute call could cost over £40. Legitimate courier companies use standard rate numbers.
5. Fake "Missed Delivery" Calls
Scammers may call claiming you missed a delivery and need to pay a redelivery fee. Some even visit in person, wearing fake uniforms and carrying clipboards, asking for payment at the door.
Tactics Used
- • Fake "Sorry we missed you" cards
- • Phone calls demanding redelivery payment
- • Fake uniforms at your door
- • Handheld card readers (that steal details)
- • Claims of "perishable goods" to create urgency
Real Courier Procedures
- ✓ Free redelivery is always available
- ✓ Parcels left with neighbours or safe place
- ✓ Official cards have tracking numbers
- ✓ Never pay at the door for missed delivery
- ✓ Check tracking online before calling
If someone calls about a missed delivery: Don't engage. Check your tracking information online using the retailer's website or app. If you weren't expecting anything, it's almost certainly a scam.
How to Protect Yourself
Track Parcels Through Official Channels
Always check delivery status on the retailer's website or the courier's official app. Never use tracking links from unexpected texts or emails. Bookmark the genuine courier websites.
Never Pay Fees Over the Phone
Legitimate courier companies don't call demanding immediate payment. If customs fees are owed, you'll receive official written notification with instructions for secure payment.
Verify the Sender Number
Scam texts often come from random mobile numbers, not official short codes. DPD texts come from "DPD", not from "+447..." numbers. Check CallerCheck to see if others have reported the number.
Inspect URLs Before Clicking
Hover over links to see the actual URL. Genuine sites use official domains like royalmail.com or dpd.co.uk. Scam sites use variations like "royalmail-delivery-uk.com" or random strings.
Keep Records of Your Orders
Know what you're expecting and when. If you receive a delivery notification but haven't ordered anything, treat it with extreme suspicion. Check with family members who might have ordered to your address.
Red Flags to Watch For
In Phone Calls
- • Automated voice asking you to press buttons
- • Urgency - "parcel will be destroyed today"
- • Requests for card details over the phone
- • Caller can't provide tracking number
- • Threats of legal action or fines
In Text Messages
- • Link to unfamiliar or suspicious website
- • Spelling mistakes or odd formatting
- • From a mobile number, not a name
- • No specific tracking reference
- • Requests small "fees" (£1-3)
What To Do If You've Been Scammed
Act Immediately
Contact your bank straight away if you've shared card details. They may be able to stop or reverse transactions. Most banks have 24/7 fraud lines.
Change Your Passwords
If you entered login details on a fake site, change those passwords immediately. Use different passwords for each account.
Scan Your Device
If you clicked a suspicious link, run antivirus software on your device. Some scam links install malware that can steal data.
Report Delivery Scams
Forward Scam Texts
Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (spells SPAM)
Golden Rules for Delivery Scam Protection
- Never pay delivery fees over the phone
- Don't click links in unexpected texts
- Check tracking on official websites only
- Verify URLs before entering any details
- Know what deliveries you're expecting
- Report suspicious numbers to 7726
- Contact your bank immediately if scammed
- Share this guide with friends and family