Is a text from a parcel company asking me to pay a storage fee a scam?
Almost certainly yes. Legitimate couriers do not hold parcels for storage fees payable by text link.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
This is a variant of the parcel delivery phishing attack. A message arrives claiming your package has been held in a warehouse and that a small storage fee — typically under five dollars or pounds — must be paid within 24 hours or the parcel is returned. The link leads to a cloned courier website that collects your card details, which are then used for larger unauthorised transactions. Real couriers may charge customs fees in some countries, but these are communicated formally and never via a click-to-pay text with a countdown timer. Check your actual order tracking directly on the retailer's website before acting on any such message.
Common red flags
- You were not expecting a delivery that day
- The storage fee must be paid via a link in the message
- The URL does not match the official courier domain
- Countdown timer creating false urgency
- No parcel reference number that matches a real order
What to do now
- Do not click the link in the text
- Track any real orders directly on the retailer's website
- Forward the message to your national spam reporting number
- If you entered card details, contact your bank immediately
Frequently asked questions
What if the sender ID says the name of a real courier?
Sender IDs are easy to spoof. Any scammer can make a text appear to come from 'DHL', 'FedEx', or 'Royal Mail'. Always verify by going to the official website yourself.