Royal Mail has warned people to urgently watch out for a scam text asking for money to receive parcels.
The fake texts and emails, doing the rounds across the country, tell 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, Birmingham Mail reports.
"Actions will be taken if you do not pay this fee," the text adds - but Royal Mail is warning people not to be fooled.
In a statement, Royal Mail has issued caution to its customers and urged Brits to exercise vigilance when it comes to e-mails, texts and other unsolicited forms of contact from the firm.
"Royal Mail will only send email and SMS notifications to customers where the sender has requested this when using our trackable products that offer this service," it says.
"The only time we would ask customers to make a payment in an email or SMS is if a customs fee is due.
"In this case, we will also leave a grey card telling them there's a fee to pay, either for the international customs fee or a surcharge for an underpaid item, before we can release the item.
"This may arrive later than the email or SMS."
"Royal Mail Group works hard to prevent and detect fraud," a spokesperson for the company added.
