Scam library · United Kingdom · Updated 20 October 2026
Royal Mail, Evri and DPD parcel text scams: what they say, how to spot it, what to do
An unexpected delivery message is easy to believe when you are waiting for a parcel. Check the order through the retailer or delivery account you already use.
What they say
Illustrative examples, written in our own words:
- Your parcel could not be delivered because the address is incomplete.
- A small redelivery charge must be paid before the parcel can be released.
- The parcel will be returned tonight unless you follow the tracking link.
- A follow-up caller says your card payment failed and asks for a banking code.
How to spot it
- The text asks for a card payment or address through a link you were not expecting.
- A small fee leads to a form requesting far more information than the delivery needs.
- The name Royal Mail, Evri or DPD appears, but you cannot match the claim to a real order.
What to do now
- Open the retailer’s order history or the delivery company’s app yourself. Check the tracking reference there.
- If there is a real delivery problem, use the support route in that account rather than the text’s number.
- Forward a suspicious SMS to 7726, then block the sender. Do not reply to ask whether it is genuine.
If you already paid or shared details
Call your bank immediately on the number on your card, using a trusted device. After hanging up, 159 can connect you to participating UK banks; coverage and call charges depend on your provider. Explain what you sent or shared and ask about stopping payments and securing the account.
If you entered card details for a supposed redelivery fee, tell the card provider even if no charge has appeared. Explain any later call claiming to be the bank; use a separate trusted contact route.
Under Payment Systems Regulator rules, UK banks and payment firms must refund most eligible authorised push payment (APP) scam losses from UK Faster Payments transfers made on or after 7 October 2024, up to £85,000 per claim. This means you were tricked into authorising a transfer. Eligibility and exceptions apply. Cards, cash, international transfers and crypto payments are not automatically covered by this rule. Report promptly and ask the bank to explain its assessment, any excess and the relevant deadlines.
Keep messages and payment references. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, report to Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud). In Scotland, report to Police Scotland on 101. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
Forward suspicious SMS texts to 7726 and emails to report@phishing.gov.uk, following GOV.UK reporting guidance. For message apps, use the app’s report and block tools. Reporting a message does not replace contacting your bank about a payment.
Questions people ask
What if I really am waiting for a parcel?
Check the retailer’s order history or delivery app independently. A real order does not authenticate an unrelated delivery text.
Should I pay a small fee just to see what happens?
Pause and verify the delivery first. A small payment request can also collect card and personal details.