Parcel delivery scam texts: missed delivery and redelivery fees
A missed-delivery text with a small fee and a link is a well-known scam pattern. Royal Mail publishes examples of the ones sent in its name.
What the scam texts look like
Royal Mail's published examples include:
- a package that "needs to be rescheduled", with a bit.ly link that leads to a payment page;
- a £2.99 "shipping fee" to collect your package;
- a parcel "ready for collection" with a link to a fake site (royal-mail.cloud) that asks for payment;
- "Sorry we couldn't deliver your package", asking you to rebook through a web address or a QR code.
Royal Mail notes that the wording, link and QR code may change, and says not to click any of the links.
How to check a delivery safely
- Do not use the link or QR code in the text.
- Type the courier's web address yourself, or use the tracking number from the shop you ordered from.
- A small fee is the hook: in Royal Mail's examples the link leads to a scam site asking for payment.
Paste the text into the scam text checker: it flags shortened links, fees and web addresses that borrow a courier's name on a domain the courier does not use. Then forward it to 7726.
Sources
- Royal Mail scam examples: Royal Mail, Typical online scams: "Text message states there is a package that needs to be resheduled and asks you to press on a 'bit.ly' link. The link takes you to a scam site asking for payment."; "This message tells you there's a £2.99 shipping fee to collect your package."; "A link takes you to a fake web site (royal-mail.cloud)" — https://www.royalmail.com/help/scam-examples, read on 2026-09-29
- NCSC, forwarding to 7726: NCSC, Report a scam text: "Most phone providers are part of a scheme that allows customers to report suspicious text messages for free by forwarding it to 7726. If you forward a text to 7726, your provider can investigate the origin of the text and arrange to block or ban the sender, if it's found to be malicious." — https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams/report-scam-text-message, read on 2026-09-29
- Report Fraud: Action Fraud / City of London Police press release, 4 Dec 2025: "From Thursday 4 December 2025, anyone needing to report cyber crime or fraud will be directed to our new Report Fraud service. Report Fraud has replaced Action Fraud, for use in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. People affected by cyber crime or fraud in Scotland should continue to call Police Scotland using the 101 telephone number. ... reportfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040." — https://www.wired-gov.net/wg/news.nsf/articles/Report+Fraud+service+goes+live+04122025143000; https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/, read on 2026-09-29
Frequently asked questions
- Does Royal Mail text you for a redelivery fee?
- Royal Mail lists texts asking for a fee through a link as scam examples and says not to click the links.
- I paid the fee. What now?
- Call your bank on the number on your card, then report it to Report Fraud (0300 123 2040; in Scotland call 101).
More guides
- Why do I keep getting loan texts, and how do I stop them?
The UK rules on marketing texts, what the ICO fined a loan-text firm for in 2026, and the steps that make the texts stop: don't reply, 7726, ICO.
- How to forward a scam text to 7726 (iPhone and Android)
Step by step for iPhone and Android, from the NCSC: what 7726 does with your report, what it costs, and what to do if 7726 does not work.
- HMRC scam texts: tax refund messages and where to report them
What HMRC says it does and does not send by text, the tax refund pattern, and where to forward a fake: 60599 or phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.
- Texts pretending to be your bank: how to check them
What your bank will never ask by message, the Take Five steps (Stop, Challenge, Protect), and what to do straight away if you replied.
Last updated 2026-09-29. Independent information service. Number data from Ofcom shows the original range holder; numbers can be ported or spoofed. Not affiliated with Ofcom, the FCA, the ICO or any police service.