Warning over parcel delivery scam

A number of people in South Yorkshire have received text messages from scammers purporting to be parcel delivery companies such as Hermes, claiming they have an outstanding fee to pay for a package due to be delivered, police said. 

The text messages usually contain a link that, when clicked, asks for payment information. This then gives scammers access to the victim’s bank account.

PC Gavin Johnson, from the force's fraud co-ordination team, said: "We know that thankfully, many people will treat text messages like this with suspicion, but with many of us doing more shopping online these days and therefore expecting more deliveries it can be easy to fall for a scam like this.

"The scammers are professionals so the messages can be quite convincing.

“I’d really encourage everyone to spread the word about scams like this, and ensure their loved ones know to be vigilant.”

If you think you have been a victim of this scam, report it to Action Fraud via https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or call 0300 123 2040.

If you receive a scam text message; do not click on any links in the message, and do not install any apps if prompted and forward the message to 7726, a free spam-reporting service provided by phone operators.