Is a text message from a delivery company asking me to pay a small redelivery fee a scam?
Very likely. Delivery fee texts are one of the most widely distributed phishing formats — the small amount makes victims less suspicious.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Parcel redelivery fee scams work precisely because the amounts are small — often under [amount] — making victims feel the risk is low. The text claims to be from a delivery company and asks for a small fee to redeliver a held or missed parcel. Clicking the link leads to a convincing fake carrier website that collects your card details. Even if you only provide your card number for a small charge, the scammer now has your full card details for larger fraudulent transactions. Real delivery companies do not charge card fees for standard redelivery — any redelivery arrangement is managed through the carrier's app or website that you navigate to yourself. If you are genuinely expecting a parcel, log in directly to the carrier's website using a known bookmark.
Common red flags
- Text from an unrecognised number about a missed parcel requiring a small fee
- Link in the text leads to a domain you do not recognise
- Amount requested is small to seem low-risk
- You are not expecting a delivery from the named carrier
- Message has generic sender name and no specific parcel reference
What to do now
- Do not click the link or enter any card details
- Check your genuine parcel status directly on the carrier's official website
- Report the phishing text to your national SMS fraud reporting service
- Forward it to 7726 in the UK to report to your mobile provider
Frequently asked questions
What if I entered my card details on the fake page?
Contact your bank immediately to cancel the card and monitor for unauthorised transactions. Report the incident to your national fraud service.