British consumers are being warned about a dangerous new text message scam that's targeting online shoppers across the country. The sophisticated fraud uses convincing Royal Mail branding to trick victims into handing over personal and financial information.
How The Scam Operates
The fraudulent messages appear to come from Royal Mail and claim there's an outstanding delivery fee that needs to be paid before a parcel can be delivered. Victims receive texts stating: "Royal Mail: There is an outstanding shipping fee on your parcel. To pay this now, please visit..." followed by a malicious link.
What Happens If You Click
Once users click the link, they're directed to a fake Royal Mail website that looks remarkably authentic. The site then prompts them to enter:
- Personal details including full name and address
- Credit or debit card information
- Contact information that can be used for further scams
Official Royal Mail Stance
Genuine Royal Mail communications follow specific protocols that differ significantly from these scam attempts. A Royal Mail spokesperson confirmed: "We will only ever send a text or email to customers if a sender has requested this when using one of our tracked services."
The crucial difference: Legitimate Royal Mail messages will never ask for personal or payment information through text links. Instead, they'll direct customers to the official Royal Mail website where they can safely manage their delivery preferences.
Protection Measures For Shoppers
Cyber security experts recommend these essential precautions:
- Never click links in unexpected delivery messages
- Verify parcel status directly through the retailer's website
- Check sender numbers - official messages come from specific Royal Mail numbers
- Look for poor grammar and spelling, common in scam messages
- When in doubt, contact Royal Mail directly through their official website
Reporting Suspicious Messages
If you receive a suspicious text claiming to be from Royal Mail:
- Forward the message to 7726 (this reports it to your mobile provider)
- Report it to Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040
- Delete the message immediately without clicking any links
With online shopping continuing to grow in popularity, experts warn that delivery-related scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Staying vigilant and following these security practices can help UK consumers avoid falling victim to these convincing fraudulent schemes.
