Delivery Scams Target Shoppers: Beware Fake Fees!

As the festive shopping season winds down, a surge in sophisticated delivery scams is targeting consumers. Criminals are exploiting the common expectation of receiving packages by sending fake text messages that request payment for redelivery. These messages often create a sense of urgency and direct recipients to malicious websites that mimic legitimate courier services.

The primary goal of these scams is to harvest personal and financial information. Victims are frequently asked to pay a small fee, typically around £1 or £2, to rearrange a non-existent delivery. This initial data capture can lead to identity theft or further fraudulent activities. Between November 2024 and January 2025, one major courier, Evri, recorded 10,000 instances of such fraud.

Authorities are urging vigilance, advising the public to scrutinize unexpected delivery notifications. Key indicators of a scam include generic messages lacking personal details, communication from unknown numbers, and requests for payment for redelivery, which legitimate services like Evri do not charge. Reporting fraudulent messages to 7726 and contacting banks immediately if details have been compromised are crucial steps to mitigate harm.