A text claiming to be from Royal Mail about a "missed delivery," "unpaid customs fee," or "package on hold" is one of the most common scam texts (smishing) in circulation today. It plays on something everyone expects — a package — to get you to click without thinking.
Here's how the Royal Mail delivery scam works, the red flags to look for, and what to do if you've received one.
How the Royal Mail Delivery Scam Works
You receive an unexpected text or email claiming a Royal Mail delivery attempt failed, or that a small fee (often customs duty, a redelivery charge, or a storage fee) is required to release your package. The message includes a link to a page that looks like Royal Mail's real website, asking for your card details or personal information to "release" or "reschedule" the delivery.
Red Flags to Watch For
- An unexpected package you weren't expecting — if you haven't ordered anything recently, be extra suspicious.
- A request for a small payment via text link — legitimate courier fees are handled through official channels, not unsolicited text links.
- Urgency and a short deadline — "respond within 24 hours or your package will be returned" is designed to make you act without checking.
- A link to an unfamiliar or slightly misspelled domain — always check the actual web address before entering any information.
- Poor grammar or generic greetings — though increasingly, scam texts are polished and hard to distinguish by tone alone.
What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Royal Mail Text
Don't click the link. Instead, open Royal Mail's official app or type their web address directly into your browser, and manually enter your tracking number from your actual order confirmation to check the real delivery status.
What to Do If You Already Clicked or Paid
If you entered card details, contact your bank immediately to block the card and dispute any charges. If you entered login credentials for an account, change that password right away — and everywhere else you used the same one. Report the scam to Royal Mail directly and to your national anti-fraud body.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a Royal Mail delivery text is real?
Royal Mail does not usually ask you to pay a small "redelivery fee" or "customs charge" via a link in a text message to release a package. Genuine delivery notifications rarely demand immediate payment through an unfamiliar link. If in doubt, track your package directly through Royal Mail's official app or website using the tracking number from your original order confirmation — not the one in the suspicious text.
What does the Royal Mail delivery text scam try to get from me?
These scams typically try to collect your credit or debit card details under the pretext of a small redelivery or customs fee, or steal your personal information and login credentials through a fake "reschedule delivery" form that mimics Royal Mail's real site.
What should I do if I already entered my card details on a fake Royal Mail page?
Contact your bank or card issuer immediately to cancel the card and watch for unauthorized charges. Change the password on any account where you reused the same details, and report the incident to Royal Mail and your national anti-fraud body.
How can I verify if I actually have a package coming from Royal Mail?
Check your recent order confirmations and tracking numbers from retailers directly, and only track parcels through Royal Mail's official app or website by manually typing in the tracking number — never by clicking a link in an unsolicited text.
How do I report a fake Royal Mail delivery text?
Forward the suspicious text to your mobile carrier's spam reporting number (7726 in many countries) and report it to Royal Mail through their official fraud awareness page. You can also file a report with your country's consumer protection or anti-fraud agency.