Is it normal for a courier to request a copy of my ID before releasing a parcel?
Genuine couriers do not request ID copies sent by email or messaging app. Signature confirmation is the standard — anything beyond this is suspicious.
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026
Explanation
Standard courier delivery requires only a signature or a safe-place instruction for confirmation. Some premium or regulated deliveries may require a government-issued ID to be shown in person — but no legitimate courier asks you to photograph your passport or driving licence and send it via email, WhatsApp, or a third-party link before releasing a package. This tactic is used to harvest identity documents for identity theft. If you receive such a request, contact the courier's official customer service number (found on their official website) to verify whether the request is genuine before providing anything.
A photographed identity document is one of the most valuable single items a fraudster can obtain, which is why the parcel pretext exists at all. With a clear image of your passport or licence, criminals can attempt account openings, SIM swaps, and verification steps at services that accept document photos as proof of identity — and unlike a stolen card, an identity document cannot simply be cancelled and reissued overnight. The delivery framing is chosen because a waiting parcel creates mild urgency and because carriers do occasionally have genuine verification steps, giving the request a plausible shell.
Apply the direction-of-contact test: identity checks you initiate through a carrier's official app or website as part of a real delivery flow are one thing; documents demanded through an inbound message are another, and no genuine courier process works that way. If you have already sent an image of your ID, act as though it will be misused — notify your bank, monitor your credit file, consider a fraud alert with the credit agencies, and keep the original message as evidence for your report.
Common red flags
- Request to send a photo of ID via email, WhatsApp, or a link
- Communication comes from an unknown number or unofficial email
- Parcel tracking information is vague or unverifiable
- Request arrives without a context of a known order
What to do now
- Do not send copies of identity documents to an unverified contact
- Call the courier using a number from their official website
- If the request turns out to be genuine, show ID in person — do not send a photo
- Report suspicious messages to the courier's fraud team
Frequently asked questions
When is showing ID to a courier legitimate?
Some restricted deliveries (alcohol, age-restricted items, certain financial documents) require age verification in person. The courier will never need to photograph or keep your ID.
What can a scammer actually do with a photo of my ID?
Pass identity checks at services that accept document photos — opening accounts, attempting SIM swaps, or verifying fraudulent applications in your name. Unlike a card, an ID document cannot be quickly cancelled, so prevention matters more than reaction.
I already sent a photo of my passport — what should I do?
Notify your bank, monitor your credit file for new applications, and consider placing a fraud alert with credit agencies. Keep the original request message as evidence and report it to the courier's fraud team and your national fraud service.