Is a missed delivery notification I received by email always genuine?
No. Fake delivery notifications are one of the most widely distributed phishing methods used to steal card details and login credentials.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Parcel delivery phishing emails closely mimic the branding of genuine carriers such as FedEx, UPS, DHL, Royal Mail, and Amazon. They claim a delivery was missed and offer a link to reschedule or pay a small redelivery fee. Clicking the link leads to a fake carrier website that collects your card details or credentials. The tell-tale signs are a sender email address that does not match the carrier's official domain, a generic greeting rather than your name, and a fee for redelivery — real carriers typically do not charge to reattempt a delivery. If you are expecting a parcel, log in directly to the carrier's website by typing the address yourself, and check your tracking number there.
Common red flags
- Sender email address does not match the official carrier domain
- Generic greeting such as 'Dear Customer' instead of your name
- Link in the email leads to a domain you do not recognise
- Small payment requested to redeliver a parcel
- You are not expecting any delivery from the carrier named
What to do now
- Do not click any link in the email
- Go directly to the carrier's official website to check your tracking
- Report the phishing email to the carrier and your email provider
- Forward UK phishing emails to [email protected]
Frequently asked questions
What if I did recently order something?
Even if you are expecting a delivery, verify the notification by logging in to the retailer's tracking system directly — not by clicking the link in the email.