Is a text from a delivery company asking for card details to redeliver my parcel real?
No. Genuine delivery companies do not ask for card details by text. This is a delivery phishing scam.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Delivery redelivery card-detail requests are a consistent form of smishing. The message imitates a carrier like DHL, UPS, FedEx, or Royal Mail and says a parcel could not be delivered. To rearrange delivery you must pay a small fee — typically under [amount] — by entering card details on a linked page. The page is a fake checkout that captures and stores your card number for fraudulent use. Real delivery companies offer free redelivery options through their official app or website. Where a genuine charge applies — such as customs duties — you are redirected to the carrier's official payment page, never asked for card details by SMS link.
Common red flags
- SMS requesting card details to release or redeliver a parcel
- URL in the text does not match the carrier's official domain
- Parcel reference number is absent or generic
- Message arrives when you are not expecting a delivery
What to do now
- Do not click the link or enter card details
- Track any real parcel directly through the carrier's official website or app
- If you entered card details, contact your bank immediately to block the card
- Report smishing texts to 7726 (UK/US) and the carrier's fraud team
Frequently asked questions
How do I rearrange a genuine missed delivery?
Visit the carrier's official website, enter your tracking number, and use their redelivery tool. No card details are required for a standard redelivery.