Trading Standards - Delivery Scams

2nd December 2025

At this time of year, with more and more people shopping online, there is always an increase in delivery scams. 43% of respondents to this year's Big Scottish Scam Survey had experienced a delivery scam.

Over 50,000 copycat websites impersonating delivery companies were reported last year, with some of the most commonly spoofed brands in the UK including Amazon, DHL, Royal Mail and Evri.

Some of the most common scam messages may say:
"We attempted to deliver your parcel today but nobody was in. Click here to reschedule the delivery..."

"Your parcel is due to be delivered today between 11.25am and 4.25pm. Click here to track your order and view delivery options..."

"Your parcel has been damaged in transit. Please pay £2 so that a new delivery can be made later today."

"Your parcel is being held at our depot. Click here to pay a shipping fee of £1.50 to release it..."

"In the process of transporting your delivery the outer package has been damaged and address information has been lost. The package cannot be delivered. Please be sure to update the delivery address information in the link within 12 hours."
How to Avoid
Legitimate parcel delivery services will not contact you unexpectedly to ask for personal or payment details.
If you receive an unexpected message about a parcel delivery, don't click on any links or follow any instructions to download an app to your phone.

If you are expecting a parcel, track the delivery on the company's official website or app rather than using links or contact details provided in an unexpected message.

Find out More
ScamShare Spotlight PDF on delivery scams: www.tsscot.co.uk/Spotlight-Delivery.pdf