Is a text message with a parcel locker PIN code I didn't expect a scam?
It could be. Unsolicited parcel locker codes are sometimes sent by scammers to manipulate you into visiting a location or revealing personal details.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Parcel locker phishing is a growing tactic. Scammers send fake PIN codes by SMS or email to trick you into clicking a link, calling a number, or handing over personal information under the pretence of 'claiming your parcel'. Genuine parcel locker codes arrive only after you have placed an order with a retailer that uses locker delivery. If you receive a code for a parcel you know nothing about, treat it as suspicious. The message may ask you to confirm your address, pay a small redelivery fee, or log in to a spoofed carrier website. Each of those steps is a data-collection trap. Real carriers such as Amazon Locker, InPost, or DHL ServicePoint do not ask for payment to collect a parcel once a code has been sent. If you are genuinely expecting something, log in directly to the retailer or carrier website using a bookmark — never follow a link in the message.
Common red flags
- PIN code for a parcel you did not order
- Link in the same message asking you to log in or pay
- Sender is an unknown number or generic address
- Message asks you to confirm personal or card details
- Urgency — code 'expires in 24 hours'
What to do now
- Do not click any link in the message
- Log in directly to the retailer site to check your orders
- If no order matches, delete the message
- Report it to your national spam-reporting service
Frequently asked questions
Could someone have sent me a parcel as a gift?
Yes, but a genuine sender would tell you. If in doubt, contact the retailer named in the message — using a number you find yourself, not one in the text.