Have you ever received a text message from Royal Mail claiming that you need to pay a fee to receive your package? If so, you may have been the victim of a scam.
For years, scammers have been sending fake SMS messages to unsuspecting people in the hopes of stealing their money. And unfortunately, the Royal Mail fee scam is one of the most common.
So how can you protect yourself and your loved ones against this scam? Let’s find out below.
How does the scam work?
The scam works by sending a text message to a person’s phone, which claims that they need to pay a fee to receive their package. The text will typically include a link, which the victim can use to pay the fee. But, this link is not associated with Royal Mail, and instead leads to a phishing website where the victim’s personal information can be stolen.
How can you tell a royal mail text scam from a real one?
Unfortunately, there’s no foolproof way to tell a fake Royal Mail message from a real one. But, there are some red flags you can look out for.
Fake messages may ask for your personal information, such as your address or bank details. This isn’t something that Royal Mail would ever do.
Royal Mail would never contact you using a third party. So if you receive a message saying something along the lines of “attention royal mail customer” then it’s best to block and ignore.
The only time The Royal Mail will ever ask for a payment via text message is if a parcel has an international customs fee to pay. In these situations, Royal Mail will usually pop a grey card through your door, often known as a ‘Fee To Pay’ card.
If you’re unsure whether a message is genuine, it’s best to contact Royal Mail directly.
Are there any other Royal Mail scams to look out for?
The Royal Mail chatbot scam
This scam is a fairly recent one that’s been targeting people via SMS. The scam involves text messages that appear to be from the Royal Mail chatbot, which asks the recipient to pay a customs fee to receive their parcel. But, the real Royal Mail chat bot doesn’t send text messages, and the fee is a scam to steal money from unsuspecting victims. In some cases, the texts even include an image of your alleged parcel, with an explanation that the label was damaged during transit.
The SMS messages often include a link to a website where people can pay the fee. But, the website is almost certainly a scam site, and by clicking on the link, people are taken to a page where they are asked to enter their personal details. If people enter their information, the scammers will use it to steal their identity or sign them up to subscription services.
Royal Mail scam text with a bit.ly link
This text contains a bit.ly link to deceive people into paying extra fees for their delivery services. By clicking the link, you’re redirected to a fake Royal Mail branded website. The site will ask you to input your personal information and credit card details to pay the “additional delivery fee”. But, once you’ve entered your details, the scammers will have access to your personal information and can use it for malicious purposes.
Royal Mail email scams
Royal Mail email scams using [email protected] are attempting to fool people into thinking they have to pay a fee to receive an item. These fraudulent messages often look very official because of the convincingly forged email address and the Royal Mail logo.
Royal Mail social media scams
These social media scams usually involve fake competition notifications along with requests for personal information. They may also involve the use of official Royal Mail branding to make the scam more believable.
What to do if you’re unsure about a text or email from Royal Mail
The Royal Mail website has a dedicated page detailing the current scam email and SMS notifications to watch out for. It’s extremely useful because they even include example screenshots of the messages. So it’s well worth having a look for future reference.
How to report a suspected Royal Mail text message scam
If you receive a message that appears to be from Royal Mail and asks you to pay a fee to receive a package, it’s likely to be a scam. Do not respond to the message or send any money.
You can report the suspected scam text message by forwarding the message to 7726 (which spells SPAM on your phone’s keypad). Your message will be sent to a dedicated reporting service that deals specifically with spam.
Something that isn’t a scam is how you can reclaim import duties
If you’ve made a purchase from an EU retailer in the last 365 days, you may be eligible for a refund on the import duty and VAT. We can help you get your refund quickly and easily. Simply fill out our online form, and we’ll take care of the rest.
We’ve successfully processed hundreds of claims. Our average refund is £250. Our experts will handle everything on your behalf and make it hassle-free. Join our satisfied customers by filling out our online form!