Is Royal Mail fee to pay text a scam?

Royal Mail is getting prepared for Christmas and issuing scam warnings already.

The company is urging the public to be aware on the run up to the festive period - any emails or text claiming a parcel delivery has failed that encourage you to follow a link could be a scam.

To find out "how to spot a fake link" check out our article here.

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The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has additionally raised awareness of "missed parcel scams" during the run up to festive period.

These warnings arrive in the press just as we begin frantically ordering parcels to complete our shopping lists. Driven by an urgent need for the satisfaction that only a completed delivery can bring, we are an easy target and become a victim all too often.

Royal Mail says it never asks for an underpaid-item fee by text or email; it leaves a grey "Fee to Pay" card instead. Remember a fee noted in a message is not necessarily proof of a scam.

Do not click a link, always check delivery through the official Royal Mail website or app, opened separately.

Suspicious texts can be sent free to 7726.

Suspicious emails can be forwarded to report@phishing.gov.uk.

This article has been created with reference to The National Scotsman.