Parcel Scam Texts Around Bank Holidays & Christmas
A genuine delivery delay around a public holiday doesn't mean every 'missed parcel' text is real.
What this scam wave looks like
This scam is a text claiming a parcel couldn't be delivered, needs rescheduling, or needs a fee to release. It may arrive around a public holiday or a busy shopping period such as Christmas, when genuine delivery disruption or high parcel volume makes the story sound plausible. An example of the style: We attempted delivery but no one was in. Reschedule your parcel here. The courier name changes, but the pattern — a link, a small fee, and urgency — stays the same.
Why public holidays and busy periods are exploited
Royal Mail says it doesn't usually deliver or collect on public or local holidays, so people often expect some delivery disruption around those dates. That gives fake 'missed delivery' messages useful cover. Reliable sources support that operational mechanism, but not a distinct, documented scam spike tied specifically to UK bank holidays. Treat bank-holiday timing as context, not proof.
Evri also warns that its texts will never ask customers to reschedule a delivery or ask for payment to do so. If a text claims otherwise, use the courier's official site or app instead of the link in the text.
Signs a delivery text is part of a scam wave
- It arrives around a public holiday or busy shopping period, claiming a missed or held delivery.
- It asks for a small fee to release or reschedule the parcel.
- The link doesn't go to the courier's genuine website.
- You weren't expecting a delivery, or can't match it to a recent order.
How the scam works step by step
First, a text arrives at a time when a delivery delay feels believable, claiming a parcel is held or a fee is needed. Second, the link opens a lookalike version of a courier's website. Third, you're asked to pay a small fee and enter personal or card details. Fourth, the details are captured, and no genuine parcel was involved.
How to check a delivery text safely
Don't tap the link. If you're expecting a parcel, find the tracking number in the retailer's own confirmation email, then go to the courier's official website or app by typing the address yourself.
- Only install a delivery app from an official app store, never a link in a text.
- A genuine delay around a public holiday or Christmas doesn't require you to use a text link. Check through the courier's own tracking instead.
If you've already paid or entered details
Contact your bank immediately if you entered card details, and ask them to watch for unauthorised transactions. If you entered a password you've reused elsewhere, change it.
How to report a parcel scam text (UK)
Forward it free to 7726. If you've lost money or shared sensitive details, report it to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040 if you're in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland. In Scotland, report to Police Scotland on 101.
Frequently asked questions
Why do fake delivery texts seem to fit around bank holidays?
Royal Mail says it doesn't usually deliver or collect on public or local holidays, so genuine delays can make a fake 'missed delivery' text sound plausible. No reliable evidence was found for a specific bank-holiday scam spike, so don't rely on timing alone.
How do I know if a 'missed delivery' text is genuine?
Find the tracking number in the retailer's own order confirmation, then check it directly on the courier's official website or app. Don't use a link in the text itself.
I paid a small 'redelivery fee' from a text like this. What do I do?
Contact your bank immediately, explain it was a scam, and ask them to watch for further unauthorised transactions.
Do genuine couriers ever charge a fee by text to release a parcel?
Don't pay through a text link. Evri says its texts never ask customers to reschedule a delivery or pay to do so. For any courier, use official tracking, the official app, or the retailer's order page.
How do I report a fake delivery text?
Forward it to 7726, and report it to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040 (Police Scotland on 101 in Scotland) if you've lost money or shared details.