Mail Redelivery Card Text Scam Examples
This text mimics a national postal service, claiming a 'calling card' was left because a parcel couldn't be delivered and that a small redelivery fee is needed via a link. The scammer's real goal is your full card details, captured on a convincing fake postal-service payment page, later used for larger unauthorized transactions. The lever is the same small-amount trick that lowers your guard — a couple of pounds feels too minor to verify. Real postal services never charge redelivery fees via text link. Do not click; check any delivery card by visiting the courier's official website directly instead.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
[Postal Service]: We tried to deliver your item today but nobody was home. A [amount] redelivery charge applies. Book a new slot: [fake link]
You have a missed delivery from [Postal Service]. Your parcel requires a [amount] storage fee before it can be resent. Pay now: [fake link]
[Postal Service] notice: your item is being held at a sorting facility. A customs duty of [amount] must be settled to release it: [fake link]
FINAL NOTICE: your parcel will be returned to sender in 24 hours unless the [amount] redelivery fee is paid: [fake link]
What the scammer wants
To trick you into entering full card details on a fake postal-service page for a trivial fee, then use those details for larger fraudulent transactions.
Red flags in the message
- Text about a missed delivery when you are not expecting a parcel
- A link that does not match the official postal service domain
- A small fee framed as urgent
- No parcel reference number, or a vague generic one
- Grammar errors or unusual sender numbers
A safe response
Do not click. Go directly to the official postal service website and use their tracking tool with any reference number you have. Report the text to 7726 (UK spam SMS line) or your local reporting service.
What not to send
- Card details
- Personal address confirmation
- Any 'redelivery' payment
What to do if you already replied
- Call your bank to dispute the charge and request a new card if details were entered
- Monitor your account for unauthorised transactions
- Report the phishing site to the postal service and national cyber-crime authority
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot the full message or call details
- Note the sender number, email, or profile
- Save any links (without clicking) and payment details
- Record dates and times
Frequently asked questions
I paid the small redelivery fee with my card on the link — what now?
Contact your bank or card provider right away to flag the transaction and ask them to monitor or block the card, since your full card details are now compromised, not just a small charge. Watch your statement closely for further unauthorized transactions over the coming days.
How do I check if I really have a parcel waiting for redelivery?
Go directly to the postal service's official website or app (typed manually, not via the text link) and check using your own tracking reference from the retailer. If a card was genuinely left at your door, it will have official redelivery instructions that don't require paying a fee online first.
Is it safe to reply to the text asking what parcel it's about?
No — replying confirms your number is active and monitored, which can invite more scam texts. Delete the message and, if possible, report it to your mobile carrier's spam-text reporting service.
Why did this text arrive when I'm actually expecting a delivery?
These messages are typically sent in bulk to large batches of numbers, and coincidentally land at a moment when many recipients are genuinely expecting a parcel. It doesn't necessarily mean the scammers know anything specific about your order.