Crooks are sending out fake SMS text messages and emails claiming to be from Royal Mail and asking recipients to pay a shipping fee to receive a package.
An example of such a message can be seen below.
Royal Mail: Your package has a £2.99 shipping fee, to pay this now visit LINK. Actions will be taken if you do not pay this fee
The message is designed to lure recipients to visiting spoof websites designed to look like the Royal Mail website in order to lure them into handing over their personal and financial information.
And as is typical with phishing scams, this information is then transmitted straight to the crooks.
While we may be tempted to enter in our details in order to receive a package, there is no package awaiting a shipping fee. This is a social engineering trick to lure victims into handing over sensitive information on spoof websites.
To avoid phishing scams, remember, be cautious of any unexpected email, social media message or SMS message that contains a link to an external website.
If you do click the link, check the web address at the top of the page to see if you’re on the correct website. For example, the Royal Mail website is RoyalMail.com.
If you’re not sure, contact the company in question directly, and not using the link contained in the message you received.
Learn more about phishing scams here.