There are renewed warnings to be aware of delivery scams and phishing emails claiming to be from DPD and Royal Mail. Fraudsters are sending texts and emails that claim delivery drivers were “unable to deliver your parcel” as “you weren’t in or there was no safe place to leave it”, or that there is an outstanding charge on the package. The message then gives instructions on how to arrange another delivery, leading to websites that request a small payment to rearrange the delivery.
If payment is made the recipient, then receives a phone call within a few days from someone claiming to be from their bank to inform them about suspicious transactions on their account.
They are then instructed their bank account may be compromised and instructed to transfer their money to an ‘alternative secure account’ to prevent further losses.
Criminals carrying out this scam are able to use a tactic known as “spoofing” to make the call or text appear genuine by cloning the phone number, or sender ID, used by the bank.
If you receive a suspicious email, text message, telephone call or discover a Royal Mail branded website which you think is fraudulent, please report it to reportascam@royalmail.com.
For suspicious emails, forward the email to reportascam@royalmail.com, do not click on any links or attachments and then delete if from your inbox.
For suspicious text messages, please send Royal Mail a screenshot of the message to reportascam@royalmail.com.
For suspicious calls or websites, please include the phone number or website address in the body of the email.
You can report suspicious texts you have received but not acted upon, by forwarding the original message to 7726, which spells SPAM on your keypad.
If you have been the victim of a payment scam, you can get a crime reference number by reporting it to your local Police station.
If you have clicked on a link, provided any personal data like your bank account details on a website or over the phone or you’re concerned that you’ve been compromised, you should also report the scam to Action Fraud, the national fraud reporting centre.
