Fake Delivery Notification Scams via Email
Criminals send fake parcel-delivery emails claiming a package could not be delivered, asking for a small fee or personal details to rearrange delivery.
Part of: Fake Delivery Texts
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
With online shopping at record levels, fake delivery notification emails are one of the most widespread scams in circulation. Attackers impersonate major postal services and couriers, sending emails that warn of a failed delivery attempt or a customs hold, and directing recipients to a convincing but fraudulent website.
The goal varies: some sites phish for login credentials or card numbers; others charge a small 'redelivery fee' to capture payment details for further fraud; and some install malware through a fake tracking app download. The small fee lulls victims into complacency — losing £2 feels trivial until the card is subsequently drained.
How this scam works on Email
A fake delivery email typically includes a tracking number (often randomly generated but formatted to look real), the logo of a well-known courier, and a button labelled 'Schedule Redelivery' or 'Pay Customs Fee'. The button leads to a cloned site that harvests card or banking credentials.
Some campaigns use the email merely as a gateway, directing victims to a phone number staffed by scammers who then conduct a remote-access or fake-support-call fraud once contact is made.
Common red flags
- You are not expecting a parcel from the named carrier
- Sender email domain does not match the courier's official domain
- Request to pay a customs or redelivery fee via a card-entry page reached from the email
- Tracking number does not return valid results on the carrier's real website
- Urgency language: 'Package will be returned in 24 hours'
- Link URL contains the courier's brand name but within a longer, unrelated domain
How to protect yourself
- Track all parcels only through the carrier's official app or website, not via email links
- If an email claims a fee is due, check independently using the tracking number on the carrier's official site
- Do not download apps linked from unsolicited delivery emails
- Check your email provider's spam folder — legitimate delivery notifications rarely end up there
- Use a virtual or single-use card number for small online payments to limit exposure
How to report it
- Report fake delivery emails to the impersonated carrier's official abuse or fraud team
- Forward to your email provider as phishing and report to the national cyber authority
- If card details were entered, contact your bank immediately to block the card
Frequently asked questions
Should I pay the small redelivery fee shown in the email?
No. Legitimate carriers charge customs fees through official channels with verifiable tracking details, not via unsolicited email links. Paying a fake fee hands your card details to criminals who can then make larger unauthorised charges.