Typical online scams to look out for.

These are some typical examples of scams that look like they’re sent by Parcelforce, but are in fact fraud or phishing scams. Please don’t click on any of the links in these emails and be vigilant if you receive a communication which you aren’t sure about.
 

Examples of email Scams to be aware of:

Emails relating to the redelivery of an item

Below is one version of this scam email, some of the information may change, but the email will contain a link.

Emails relating to shipping information and payment instructions

A common example of this scenario might be an email purporting to be from Parcelforce Worldwide, stating that a sum of money needs to be paid in order for the goods to be released for delivery.  In many cases, the email will include what looks like a valid tracking number and make a statement suggesting that it is ‘Pending’ until the payment is made and cannot be tracked.

EMAILS OF THIS NATURE ARE NOT FROM PARCELFORCE WORLDWIDE. WE DON’T CURRENTLY SEND UNSOLICITED EMAILS TO CUSTOMERS REQUESTING PAYMENT LIKE THIS.

If you receive an email like this, under no circumstances should you act on its request, but instead report it to reportascam@parcelforce.co.uk and Action Fraud, the national fraud reporting centre. Please note: Police Scotland (via the 101 telephone service) must be contacted for scams in or from Scotland.

Emails containing “attachments”

The content of these emails varies but includes reasons such as “problems with the delivery address”, “the parcel is too large/should be collected” or invites the recipient to “Track your parcel”. It may also include a description such as “Parcelforce Service”, which we do not use in any communication with our customers. In the event that our delivery driver is unable to deliver a parcel, they will leave a card which explains where you can collect the parcel or how to arrange a redelivery.

Some of the emails also have an attachment which is reported to contain malicious software – under NO circumstances should this be opened. We recommend that you delete the email from your inbox.

We would advise the recipient of any unsolicited email never to open any links or attachments contained within it, but instead visit the website of the organisation concerned. Further help on fraud prevention and online security can be found at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk

Reporting potential scams:

If you receive a suspicious email, text message, telephone call claiming to be from Parcelforce or discover a Parcelforce branded website which you think is fraudulent, please report it to: reportascam@parcelforce.co.uk.

• For suspicious emails, forward the email to reportascam@parcelforce.co.uk, do not click on any links or attachments and then delete if from your inbox.
• For suspicious text messages, please send us a screenshot of the message to reportascam@parcelforce.co.uk.
• For suspicious calls or websites, please include the phone number or website address in the body of the email.

If you have been the victim of a payment scam, you can get a crime reference number by reporting it to your local Police station.

If you have clicked on a link, provided any personal data like your bank account details on a website or over the phone or you’re concerned that you’ve been compromised, you should also report the scam to Action Fraud, the national fraud reporting centre. Please note: Police Scotland (via the 101 telephone service) must be contacted for scams in or from Scotland.

To report a spam text forward the text to 7726.

You may get an automated response thanking you for the report and giving you further instructions if needed. You will not be charged for sending texts to 7726.

An easy way to remember ‘7726' is that they are the numbers on your telephone keypad that spell out the word ‘SPAM'. Visit Ofcom for more information.