Royal Mail has issued new guidance on how to avoid becoming the victim of scams as more than 1,700 people reported receiving hoax emails.
Birmingham Live had already reported how scam texts were being sent out targeting people's bank accounts.
But Royal Mail has now warned of a second scam in just two weeks.
It said it has been targeting its customers by sending emails purporting to be from the national mail service but which are no more than a hoax, Birmingham Live reports.
The emails and texts solicit customers to give up their personal and bank information by telling them they'll otherwise fail to have their parcel delivered.
The latest scam has been labelled by ActionFraud as a "malicious email" and prompted Royal Mail to dish out fresh advice to help protect its customer.
Have you been hit by the scam? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk
It said the following:
- Royal Mail will never send an email asking for credit card numbers or other personal or confidential information.
- Royal Mail will never ask customers to enter information on a page that isn’t part of the Royal Mail website.
- Royal Mail will never include attachments unless the email was solicited by customer e.g. customer has contacted Royal Mail with an enquiry or has signed up for updates from Royal Mail.
- Royal Mail have also stressed that they do not receive a person’s email address as part of any home shopping experience.
That came after scammers had been sending out fake Royal Mail emails to try and trick victims into giving personal information.
Scam one
Royal Mail warned people to watch out urgently for a parcel scam doing the rounds across the country.
The scams are circulating by text and email and tells recipients to make payments so they ensure their packages can get delivered.
The text states: " Royal Mail: your package has a £2.99 shipping fee, to pay this now visit."
It then includes a seemingly legitimate Royal Mail website, but it is all a ruse, with phishers and scammers ready to pounce and siphon your details.
"Actions will be taken if you do not pay this fee," the text adds - but Royal Mail is warning people not to be fooled.
Scam two
ActionFraud revealed this week they had received 1,700 reports about scam emails claiming a parcel had not been delivered.
The message, which appears at first glance almost genuine, warns homeowners if they don't opt for delivery, they will return the package to the sender.
It then directs the customer to a link, asking them to fill out an information form.
The form then asks users for their card number, security code, sort code, account number and mother's maiden name.
It also provides a parcel number, while stating without this personal information, your package will not be redelivered.
ActionFraud tweeted: "Watch out for these fake Royal Mail emails. They've been reported to us over 1,700 times...Help us remove malicious emails and websites like these by forwarding suspicious emails to: report@phishing.gov.uk."
