The Red Flag Sign A Royal Mail Text Is A Scam

Royal Mail’s site warns against online scams that “look like they’re sent by Royal Mail, but are in fact fraud or phishing scams”. 

And given that they say these scams are “on the rise,” keeping a weather eye out for suspicious texts and emails is more important than ever. 

Plus, according to Mark Baars, a tech expert at Unit4, the latest round of scam emails and texts he’s seen are unusually convincing. 

“What makes these messages so effective is that they don’t feel urgent or threatening. They feel routine. That’s why people fall for them,” he said. 

Then, there’s the time of year to consider. “This is the peak period for returns, delayed parcels and redelivery requests. People expect follow-up messages, so their guard is already down.” 

What can scam texts look like? 

Per Baars, the most common sort of Royal Mail scam text “usually says there’s a small issue with delivery. It might mention an incomplete address, a missed delivery slot or a small unpaid fee”. 

This can be effective, he said, because it doesn’t flag an urgent or unlikely issue: it just says there’s a small admin error, and “uses polite, neutral wording. Nothing feels alarming, which is why people click without thinking”. 

Royal Mail said that fake Royal Mail ‘something for you’ cards could also contain dodgy QR codes or unsafe links.

They added that ‘typical’ fraudulent texts might ask you to reschedule a parcel by clicking a link, tell you you need to pay a shipping or collection fee, or tell you a parcel is awaiting collection. 

Scam emails could tell you your parcel couldn’t be delivered to your address because you didn’t pay customs duty, that you missed a letter from HMRC, or that you need to pay for the package and payment before the parcel is delivered.

How can I spot a scam Royal Mail text? 

Baars said that there’s one consistent giveaway: a clickable link telling you to pay in a message you didn’t ask for. 

“Royal Mail does not include clickable links in unsolicited text messages asking for payment or personal information,” he said. 

Indeed, Royal Mail’s site reads, “The only time we would ask customers to make a payment by email or by SMS is in instances where a customs fee is due. In such cases, we would also leave a grey card telling customers that there’s a Fee to Pay before we can release the item.

“This would apply either to an international customs fee or to a surcharge for an underpaid item.”

If you get a text that contains a scam link, the URL might look a little off on closer inspection, Baars advised.

“Scam links often use random strings of letters or shortened URLs. They rarely match official Royal Mail web addresses.

What should I do if I’m not sure about a Royal Mail text or email? 

Baars stated, “If a message asks you to click a link or enter details, don’t do it”.

Should there be a genuine postage problem, he said, you can “Go directly to the official Royal Mail website or app. If there’s a real issue, it will appear there”. 

Delete any suspicious texts, do not forward them, and do not reply to them. 

You can report suspected scams to Ofcom via 7726, or share them with reportascam@royalmail.com.