Royal Mail Delivery Fee Text Scam — UK Smishing Warning
A text claiming to be from Royal Mail says you have a parcel with an unpaid customs or delivery charge. It includes a link to pay a small fee. Royal Mail sends customs charge notices by paper, not by text with payment links. This smishing scam has stolen millions from UK residents.
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How This Scam Works
High Risk — Royal Mail Impersonation Texts in the UK
Royal Mail sends customs charge notices by paper, not by text message with payment links. If you receive a text asking for payment, it is a scam.
Note: This scam typically arrives via text message, not email. If you received a suspicious email, forward it to check@scam.support for a free risk assessment. For text scams, report to Action Fraud — see all reporting agencies.
A text claiming to be from Royal Mail says you have a parcel with an unpaid customs or delivery charge. It includes a link to pay a small fee, typically between 1 and 3 pounds. The link leads to a fake Royal Mail website that captures your card details. Royal Mail collects customs charges through paper notices with a unique reference number.
According to UK Finance, delivery scam texts are among the most commonly reported smishing scams in the UK, particularly around the holiday shopping season. Royal Mail has issued repeated warnings about these fraudulent texts.
Red Flags
- Text claims you have an unpaid delivery or customs charge
- Includes a link to pay — Royal Mail sends paper notices
- Asks for a small fee (often under 3 pounds)
- Sender appears to be Royal Mail but uses an unfamiliar number
- You are not expecting a parcel
What You Should Do
What To Do
- Do not tap the link in the text
- If expecting a parcel, check the Royal Mail website directly at royalmail.com
- Look for a grey or red paper notice card from Royal Mail
- Forward the scam text to 7726
- Report to Action Fraud
Sources
- UK Finance — Fake parcel delivery texts are the top smishing scam — Delivery scam text reports and trends
- Royal Mail — Help with online security and scam protection — Official warnings about text message scams
- National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) — Scam 'missed parcel' SMS messages — Smishing guidance