How to spot and avoid parcel and delivery scams

Shopping online can be a great way to find festive gifts for friends and family, from Black Friday deals to New Year sales. Scammers take advantage of all the online shopping at this time of year by posing as delivery companies, preying on your hunt for a good deal.

You probably think you could never fall victim to a scam, but the truth is, anyone could.

This is because scammers:

  • use your favourite apps and websites to communicate with you
  • can send emails and text messages that appear to be from legitimate companies
  • may apply pressure to rush you into making a purchase or clicking on a link.

UK Finance reported that £85.9 million was lost to purchase scams in 2023.

On this page:

How does a delivery scam work?

Step 1: They say that they've been unable to deliver a parcel (which you may or may not have actually been expecting)

The name on the message may appear genuine as scammers can easily fake this. These messages are often sent through WhatsApp or SMS. The message might seem really believable, as scammers are becoming harder to spot.

A phone showing a fraudulent message sent through Whatsapp.

Step 2: They ask you to click on a link in the message to rearrange the delivery

The link in the message might appear to look like a real delivery company’s link, as this is easy for scammers to do with fake websites.

A close up of a phone showing a scam WhatsApp message. A red flag points to a hyperlink

Step 3: The link takes you to a website which asks for detailed personal and financial information before they can rearrange the delivery

The website may ask you to enter sensitive details such as bank account and credit or debit card numbers. It might also ask for personal information that could help a scammer pretend to know or be you.

No genuine organisation will ask for this kind of information to reorganise a parcel delivery. You should use a company's official website and tracking services to check what's happening with your delivery.

An example of a fake website that asks for your personal details, including a card number. Multiple red flags point out where to be cautious.

Step 4: The scammer uses your details to steal your money or scam you another way

The scammer could get direct access to your bank account if you gave out sensitive information. They might use your details to pretend to be you, verifying the details with your bank by phoning them. They can then freely transfer your money to their own account. Read more about how scammers use your details to take over your bank account.

These fake messages can look very real, especially when you are expecting many deliveries. But scammers will use this information to steal your money or try to scam you another way. Malicious texts can often be part of a wider scam.

What else could happen if you click on a scammer’s fake link?

Entering your details could also lead to a phone call from someone pretending to be your bank, or the Police. Read more about impersonation scams.

Even if you do not enter any details, it’s also possible for scammers to use these links they send to you to scam you. Links can contain malware which downloads to your device. The scammer can then gain access to your personal details and passwords by spying on your activity.

A phone showing The Co-operative Bank online banking log on page. A spyware icon sits in the foreground.

Scammers know it can be hard to keep track of your deliveries, especially during the festive period. Remember:

  • Be very cautious of unexpected messages, even if the sender appears genuine
  • Never click on links or open attachments in suspicious emails or texts
  • Ensure your device is kept up to date with its latest software
  • Do not hand over sensitive information such as card and account details
  • Verify with the genuine delivery provider if messages are genuine
  • Be careful when entering sensitive information online using public Wi-Fi as it may be less secure
  • Ask someone you trust for advice if you're not sure.