Royal Mail customers have been issued an urgent warning regarding a delivery scam which is circulating by text and email.
The scam, which is affecting millions of innocent people, tells the recipients they owe a fee for a parcel.
The message includes a link to what looks like a legitimate Royal Mail website – but it’s not. It’s a website set up so that fraudsters can steal people’s details.
The message circulating says: “Royal Mail: your package has a £2.99 shipping fee, to pay this now visit… Actions will be taken if you do not pay this fee.”
But Royal Mail has issued a statement, warning people to be vigilant against these types of scams, and urges customers to not click on the link.
The statement read: “Royal Mail will only send email and SMS notifications to customers where the sender has requested this when using our trackable products that offer this service.”
It may become a little confusing, because Royal Mail will sometimes send out a message asking for payment – but only if a customer's fee is due.
In this case you will receive a grey calling card telling you there is a fee to pay – but this could arrive later than the email or SMS.
The statement explained: “The only time we would ask customers to make a payment in an email or SMS is if a customs fee is due."
The statement continued: “In this case, we will also leave a grey card telling them there's a fee to pay, either for the international customs fee or a surcharge for an underpaid item, before we can release the item.
“This may arrive later than the email or SMS.”
“Royal Mail Group works hard to prevent and detect fraud.”
If you receive a scam phone call, email, message or online scam, Royal Mail asks you to complete their online form.
Alternatively, you can call 3454 04 05 06, or write to Citizens Advice consumer service, 2nd Floor, Fairfax House, Merrion Street, Leeds, LS2 8JU.
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