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Leeds Live
Leeds Live
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Paul Smith & Courtney Pochin & Neil Shaw

Warning over Royal Mail Christmas prize-winner text scam

Mobile phone users should be on their guard for a text message scam using the Royal Mail name as a front.

A number of vigilant people have taken to social media to report the receipt of texts informing them that they have items awaiting collection.

According to the Mirror, everything seems above board until recipients of the texts click on a link which is provided and find themselves on a web page with a Currys/PC World heading.

This site advises that the customer has won an iPhone 11 Pro which will be delivered as soon as personal details and a fee are handed over.

It reads: "There is an item waiting to be collected. You took one of the spots on our Currys' XMAS-List.

"Your iPhone 11 Pro will be delivered within five working days.

"Please confirm your delivery address and pay a small fee (£2) for insured shipping."

Those who pressed the confirm button were then taken to another website called "winanticipation", where they were asked for credit card details.

One person who was unsure about the whole thing tweeted Royal Mail asking if they'd sent the text. 

She wrote: "Hi there @RoyalMail I received the below  t ext from you today - is it a scam? If I follow it through it goes to a @curryspcworld prize!"

Another wrote: "Is this some sort of new scam or a new feature you guys have introduced? It's not the first time I've gotten a text like this from an alleged Royal Mail number."

Royal Mail responded to the tweets via their help account to confirm they are investigating the text messages.

"Hi, thanks for raising this with us," they said. "We're aware of this SMS and are currently investigating.

"Further info on known scams and how to report them in future can be found at:  https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/6905/~/what-email-%2F-text-%2F-facebook-message-scams-should-i-be-aware-of%3F…  Thanks."

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