Parcel delivery scam texts: how to spot a fake “missed delivery” message (UK)

Posted on by Safety App UK team

A text saying you missed a parcel and must pay a small fee or confirm your address through a link is almost always a scam. Royal Mail doesn’t ask for underpaid postage by text, and Evri says its texts never ask for payment. Don’t click. Forward the message free to 7726, delete it, and if you entered card details, call your bank on 159 straight away.

Updated 16 October 2026 · Sources: NCSC, GOV.UK, Royal Mail, Evri, Stop Scams UK, Report Fraud

Entered your card details? Call your bank now on 159

Fraudsters can use card details within minutes. Call 159 (or the number on the back of your card) from a different phone if you can, tell the bank what happened and ask them to block the card. If someone is threatening you or you are in danger, call 999.

Delivery scam texts: four numbers to know

7726

Forward a scam text to 7726. It’s free and reports the message to your mobile network, which can block the sender.

159

Calls your own bank safely. Stop Scams UK says it covers customers of more than 99% of UK retail bank current accounts.

40.9K

Scams taken down through the 7726 reporting service, across 93.3K web addresses, as of July 2026 (NCSC).

2 a week

The average number of suspicious texts UK adults said they get, in a Censuswide survey of 2,000 for Nationwide (September 2026).

Figures from the NCSC “Report a scam text message” page, Stop Scams UK and Nationwide’s news release of 25 September 2026 (Censuswide, 3–7 September 2026), checked 16 October 2026. The 7726 figure counts all scam texts, not only delivery ones.

What does a fake delivery text look like?

It usually says a parcel couldn’t be delivered, is “held at the depot” or has a small unpaid fee. It pushes you to act today and links to a website that copies a courier’s branding. That site asks for your address, date of birth and card details. Courier names change, but the pattern stays the same.

Red flags to look for

A fee to pay

Royal Mail leaves a grey “Fee to Pay” card for underpaid post rather than texting. The only exception it lists is customs charges, where the sender gave your details.

A link that isn’t theirs

Evri says its texts only link to tracking at evri.link. Shortened links, odd spellings or extra words in the address are warning signs.

Urgency

“Today only” or “your parcel will be returned” is a pressure tactic. Royal Mail says scammers create urgency and it does not.

You weren’t expecting it

Royal Mail only texts or emails if the sender asked for tracking updates. Evri says its texts don’t come from an ordinary mobile number.

Based on Royal Mail’s “Help with online security” page and Evri’s “Is this Evri text/email genuine?” page, checked 16 October 2026.

Got one? What should you do?

1. Don’t click or reply

Don’t tap the link or reply to the message. If you’re expecting a parcel, check it on the retailer’s or courier’s own app or website, which you open yourself.

2. Forward it to 7726

It’s free. On iPhone press and hold the message, tap More, then the arrow; on Android hold the message, tap the three dots and choose Forward. Enter 7726 and send.

3. Tell the courier, then delete

Royal Mail asks for a screenshot of fake texts at reportascam@royalmail.com. For other couriers, use the contact details on their own website. Then delete the message and block the number.

4. If you entered details, call 159

Call your bank on 159 or the number on your card and block the card. If you lost money, report it to Report Fraud (0300 123 2040) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or to Police Scotland on 101.

Steps from the NCSC, GOV.UK and Royal Mail. Not sure where else to report? See how Report Fraud works and where to report a crime in the UK.

Why do scammers want such a small fee?

The fee is bait. The real goal is your full card details, address and date of birth. With those, criminals can try larger payments, or call you pretending to be your bank’s fraud team and talk you into moving money. So if a “bank” calls soon after a delivery text, hang up and call 159 yourself. Our guide to doorstep scams covers the courier version of this trick.

What if you already clicked the link?

Stay calm and think about what you typed in. If you entered nothing, close the page and delete the text. If you entered card or bank details, call your bank on 159 now. If you entered a password, change it everywhere you use it. Then watch your statements for payments you don’t recognise.

Real or fake? A quick check

▲ red = treat as a scam, ▬ amber = check through the official website, ▼ green = probably genuine. Based on Royal Mail and Evri guidance, checked 16 October 2026.

Myths vs facts

Myth: a real logo means it’s real

Fake sites copy logos, colours and wording. Judge the request, not the look: a request for payment or card details by text is the giveaway.

Myth: a tiny fee can’t hurt

The small charge is a way to collect your full card details, which can be used for much bigger payments or a follow-up scam call.

Fact: reporting takes a minute

Forwarding to 7726 is free, and the NCSC says your network can then investigate the sender and block or ban it.

Fact: 159 can’t be spoofed

Stop Scams UK says 159 cannot be spoofed or impersonated, so it’s a safe way to reach your bank after a suspicious message.

Frequently asked questions

Royal Mail says it only contacts you by text or email if the sender asked for tracking updates, and it won’t ask for payment for underpaid post that way: it leaves a grey “Fee to Pay” card. Customs charges can come by text or email if the sender gave your details.

It helps. Forwarding to 7726 is free and lets your network investigate and block the sender. If you didn’t lose money or share any details, you don’t need to report it to Report Fraud or the police.

Don’t click links or open attachments. Forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk, where the National Cyber Security Centre investigates it. Fake Royal Mail emails can also go to reportascam@royalmail.com.

Call your bank on 159 straight away and ask about a refund; what you get back depends on how you paid. Then report to Report Fraud (0300 123 2040) or, in Scotland, Police Scotland on 101. Our romance scams guide explains how bank reimbursement works for transfers.

Related guides: doorstep scams and rogue traders, Report Fraud explained and what to do if your phone is stolen.

Sources

General safety information, not legal or financial advice. In an emergency, always call 999.

Keep reading

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