How To Protect a Relative from Courier and Mail Fraud
How to recognise and prevent scams that use fake deliveries, parcel notifications, and in-person couriers to steal money or goods.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Courier and mail scams arrive by post, text, or even at the front door — often impersonating well-known delivery services, banks, or government agencies. They can involve fake 'missed delivery' fees, fraudulent QR codes, or a person calling at the door claiming to collect a parcel or card on behalf of a bank. These scams can feel very convincing, especially to someone who is expecting a delivery.
Recognise common courier and mail scam tactics
Courier and mail scams usually follow a handful of repeatable scripts once you know to look for them: a text claiming a parcel could not be delivered and asking for a small redelivery fee via a link, someone arriving in a hi-vis vest saying a package needs a customs charge paid in cash or gift cards before they can hand it over, or a call claiming your relative's bank card was compromised and a 'courier' will collect it for safekeeping. Genuine delivery companies do not ask for payment by text link, and no bank or police officer will ever send someone to your door to collect a card, cash, or PIN. Naming these patterns out loud with your relative makes the real thing far easier to recognise in the moment.
- Text or email claiming a parcel is held until a small fee is paid via a link
- A caller at the door claiming to be from a courier company or the bank
- 'Bank courier' scam: caller says your card is compromised and a courier is coming to collect it
- Fake missed-delivery card with a premium-rate callback number
Share clear rules to follow
Rules work better than general caution because they remove the need to think clearly under pressure, which is exactly when scammers want their targets. Agree something simple and absolute, such as never handing cash, a bank card, or a PIN to anyone who arrives unannounced, no matter what uniform they are wearing or story they tell. Another good rule: if a text about a delivery includes a link, do not tap it — instead open the courier's official app or website separately and check tracking there. Practising the phrase 'I don't deal with anything at the door, please leave a card and I'll follow up' gives your relative a script they can lean on instead of improvising while flustered.
- Genuine banks never send a courier to collect your card or cash
- Never pay a delivery fee by clicking a link in a text — go directly to the official carrier website
- Never give a card, cash, or personal documents to someone who arrives unannounced
- It is always safe to say 'I need to check — I will call you back on the official number'
Set up practical protections
A few physical and technical adjustments cut down how often these scams even reach your relative in the first place. A doorbell camera or simple peephole habit lets them see who is outside before opening the door, and a chained or partially opened door lets them speak to a caller without letting anyone in. On the phone side, registering with a telephone preference or do-not-call service reduces cold calls generally, and blocking a number immediately after a suspicious call stops repeat attempts from the same source. Keeping a note by the phone with the direct number for their bank's fraud line means they can hang up and call back on a number they trust rather than one the caller gave them.
- Use delivery services that allow you to specify a safe place or neighbour for parcels
- Register with the Royal Mail or national mail preference service to reduce unsolicited mail
- Agree a family rule to call before paying any unexpected delivery charge
- Put a sticker near the door: 'I do not buy from or hand over anything to cold callers'
Conversation script
“Have you ever had a text saying a parcel was being held until you pay a small fee? Those are nearly always scams — I wanted to show you what to look for.”
“One really important thing: if anyone ever calls claiming the bank is sending a courier to collect your card, hang up — no real bank ever does that.”
“If you are ever unsure about a delivery message, just forward it to me and I will have a look before you click anything.”
Frequently asked questions
What if the person at the door has a uniform and official-looking ID?
Uniforms and fake ID cards can be purchased or fabricated. If your relative is unsure, they should keep the door on the chain, not hand over anything, and call the company directly on a number found independently — not one provided by the caller.
Are there any genuinely legitimate unexpected delivery charges?
Yes — customs charges on international parcels are real and are collected by carriers. But these are always handled through the official carrier's website or a formal customs letter, never a link in an unsolicited text.