Keeping you and your money safe is our top priority, and we have stringent safeguarding measures in place to help protect all our customers. But there are also steps you need to take to protect yourself from fraud.
To help you identify potential scams and stay safe, we’re publishing a series of articles on fraud protection. This article looks at delivery scams.
What is a delivery scam?
Delivery scams are an increasingly common form of phishing fraud, with fraudsters impersonating well-known courier companies to trick people into sharing personal or financial information or making small payments. These scams often arrive via text message, email or phone call and claim there is an issue with a parcel delivery.
The message might say that a parcel could not be delivered due to missing address details, unpaid postage, or a failed delivery attempt. Victims are then encouraged to click a link to rearrange delivery or pay a small fee to release the parcel.
These links typically lead to fake websites designed to look like legitimate courier services. Once on the site, victims may be asked to enter personal details such as their name, address and payment information. In some cases, clicking the link may also install malicious software on their device.
Delivery scams are particularly prevalent around Christmas when many people will receive parcels they have not themselves ordered.
An example of a recovery scam
Sarah had recently ordered several items online and was expecting multiple deliveries over the coming days. One afternoon, she received a text message claiming to be from a well-known courier company. The message stated that her parcel could not be delivered due to incomplete address information and included a link to reschedule delivery.
The message looked genuine. It used the courier’s name, included a tracking reference, and mentioned a small fee required to process the redelivery. As Sarah was already expecting a parcel, she clicked the link without thinking too much about it.
The link took her to a website that closely resembled the courier’s official page. She was asked to confirm her address details and pay a small fee to release the parcel. After entering her card details, she received a confirmation message and assumed the issue had been resolved.
Later that evening, Sarah checked her bank account and noticed several unfamiliar transactions. It became clear that her card details had been captured through the fake website. The original message had not come from the courier at all, but from a scammer.
Five tips on how to protect yourself from recovery scams
1. Verify delivery messages independently
If you receive a message about a delivery, avoid clicking any links. Instead, go directly to the retailer or courier’s official website or app to check the status of your parcel.
Genuine companies will not rely solely on unsolicited messages to request action.
2. Be wary of unexpected deliveries
If you receive a message about a parcel you weren’t expecting, treat it with suspicion. Scammers often send messages at scale, hoping to reach people who happen to be waiting for a delivery.
3. Avoid entering unnecessary data
Fraudulent messages often include links to fake websites designed to capture personal or financial information.
Most delivery services only require a tracking number and postcode for confirmation. Any sites asking for more than this to access your package should be viewed with caution.
4.Question requests for payment
Legitimate delivery companies do not typically request payment via text or email to release a parcel. If you are asked to pay a small fee to rearrange delivery, this is a strong indicator of a scam.
5. Take your time
Delivery scams often rely on urgency, encouraging you to act quickly to avoid missing a parcel. Taking a moment to pause and verify the message can help you avoid falling victim
If someone targets you
If you suspect you are being targeted or have fallen victim to a delivery scam, it's important to act quickly. Stop engaging with the message and avoid clicking any further links.
Contact your bank or payment provider immediately if you have entered financial details, as they may be able to help prevent further losses and secure your account. It’s also important to monitor your accounts for any unusual activity.
If you’ve been a victim, you can also get free specialist help from Victim Support.
You can also report any suspicious sites to the National Cyber Security Centre. The UK’s cybercrime reporting centre, Action Fraud, also has plenty of useful resources.
More information on delivery scams
Some of the organisations and websites listed above provide extensive guidance and resources on identifying scams and protecting yourself online. If you believe you have interacted with a fraudulent platform or clicked a suspicious link, you can use tools such as who.is. to check a website’s legitimacy.
As well as checking the FCA’s Register and Warning List, you can also find other information for consumers and firms on the FCA website.
Finally, we’re always more than happy to help our customers. If you’ve got any concerns or questions about the security of your Currencies Direct funds, or need guidance in relation to a transfer, please do get in touch.
