Royal Mail "missed delivery" text asking for a small fee
A text says a parcel could not be delivered and asks for £1–£3 to rebook it.
How this scam works
A text arrives saying Royal Mail, DPD, Evri or DHL tried to deliver a parcel and needs a small redelivery fee. The amount is tiny on purpose, usually £1.45 or £2.99, because a small sum feels harmless and people pay without thinking.
The link goes to a copy of the courier's website. It asks for your card number, then your address, then your date of birth. Some versions then ring you pretending to be your bank, using the details you just typed in to sound convincing.
The real damage is not the £2. It is that the criminals now have your full card details and enough personal information to attempt a much larger fraud a few days later.
Royal Mail will leave a paper card through your door. It will not text you asking for money.
Warning signs
- A small payment is requested, usually under £5
- The link is not the courier's real website (look for odd spellings or extra words)
- You are not expecting a parcel, or cannot remember ordering anything
- The message asks for your date of birth as well as your card
What to do
- Do not tap the link.
- If you are expecting a parcel, open the courier's own app or type their website address in yourself.
- Forward the text to 7726 (free on all UK networks), then delete it.
If it has already happened to you
This happens to sensible, careful people every day. What matters now is acting quickly.
- Ring your bank straight away and cancel the card you used.
- Check your statement for any other payments you do not recognise.
- Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at actionfraud.police.uk.
- Expect a follow-up call pretending to be your bank in the next few days. Hang up and call 159 instead.
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Check a messageLast updated 29 September 2026. Source: Action Fraud.