--- title: "Royal Mail scam texts: how to spot a fake | TapSafely" url: https://tapsafely.com/scams/royal-mail-scam-texts source: TapSafely description: "Is that Royal Mail message real? The warning signs, Royal Mail's real websites, how to check safely and where to report a fake." --- [Home](https://tapsafely.com/)/[Scam guides](https://tapsafely.com/scams/)/[Brand scams](https://tapsafely.com/scams/brands)/ Royal Mail # Royal Mail scam texts: how to spot a fake Scammers copy Royal Mail because millions of people use it. Here's how to tell a fake Royal Mail message from a real one, and what to do if you already clicked. By the TapSafely editorial team · Updated 16 September 2026 ## In short Royal Mail says it only sends email and text notifications when the sender asked for them on a tracked service, and the only time it asks for payment by email or text is when a customs fee is due. It never asks for card numbers, passwords or personal details by email, or asks you to enter details on a page that is not part of Royal Mail. **Most common fake:** Text asking for a small fee (about 1 to 3 pounds) to reschedule a delivery. **Safest check:** Enter the tracking number yourself at royalmail.com/track-your-item. Example · fake Royal Mail message · Illustrative, links disabled Royal Mail: Your parcel could not be delivered due to unpaid postage of 1.45 GBP. Pay now to book a new delivery date: royalmail-rebook[.]top/pay An example fake Royal Mail message with the warning signs highlighted. ## What Royal Mail says Royal Mail says it only sends email and text notifications when the sender asked for them on a tracked service, and the only time it asks for payment by email or text is when a customs fee is due. It never asks for card numbers, passwords or personal details by email, or asks you to enter details on a page that is not part of Royal Mail. Source: [Royal Mail](https://www.royalmail.com/help/scam-protection) ## Common fake Royal Mail messages - Text asking for a small fee (about 1 to 3 pounds) to reschedule a delivery - Fake customs charge or failed delivery email - Link to confirm parcel details on a lookalike site - Fake Royal Mail stamp shops offering big discounts - Missed parcel text that tries to get you to install a fake tracking app ## Royal Mail's real web addresses Genuine Royal Mail links and emails use these domains. Look at the part just before the first single slash: **royalmail.com** is real, but **royalmail-support-center.com** or **royalmail.com.account-check.top** are not. - **royalmail.com** Scammers can also hide a fake link behind real-looking text. [Learn how to read a web address](https://tapsafely.com/scams/phishing-links). ## How to check a Royal Mail message safely 1. Enter the tracking number yourself at royalmail.com/track-your-item 2. Genuine fees are usually explained on a grey Fee to Pay card left by Royal Mail 3. Type royalmail.com into your browser instead of tapping links in messages ## How to report a fake Royal Mail message - Forward scam emails, or send a screenshot of scam texts, to reportascam@royalmail.com. [Official details on royalmail.com](https://www.royalmail.com/help/scam-examples) - Forward the scam text to 7726, free on most UK networks. [Official details on ncsc.gov.uk](https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams/report-scam-text-message) - If you lost money, report it to Report Fraud (reportfraud.police.uk), or to Police Scotland on 101 in Scotland. [Official details on reportfraud.police.uk](https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/) Also report it to the official fraud service in your country. [See the worldwide list](https://tapsafely.com/been-scammed#where-to-report). ## If you clicked, paid or shared details ### Act quickly. It makes a difference. 1. If you entered card or bank details, call your bank now using the number on your card, and ask them to block the card. 2. If you entered a password, change it on the real Royal Mail website or app and turn on two-step verification. 3. Expect follow-up calls or messages pretending to help. Never share one-time codes or move money to a "safe account". 4. Report the scam, then delete the message. More help: [Fake delivery texts and customs-fee scams](https://tapsafely.com/scams/fake-delivery-texts) and [what to do after a scam](https://tapsafely.com/been-scammed). ## Questions people ask Does Royal Mail send messages asking for payment or personal details? Royal Mail says it only sends email and text notifications when the sender asked for them on a tracked service, and the only time it asks for payment by email or text is when a customs fee is due. It never asks for card numbers, passwords or personal details by email, or asks you to enter details on a page that is not part of Royal Mail. How can I check if a Royal Mail message is real? Enter the tracking number yourself at royalmail.com/track-your-item. Genuine fees are usually explained on a grey Fee to Pay card left by Royal Mail. Type royalmail.com into your browser instead of tapping links in messages. How do I report a fake Royal Mail message? Forward scam emails, or send a screenshot of scam texts, to reportascam@royalmail.com. Forward the scam text to 7726, free on most UK networks. If you lost money, report it to Report Fraud (reportfraud.police.uk), or to Police Scotland on 101 in Scotland. I clicked a link in a fake Royal Mail message. What should I do? Don't enter anything else. If you typed card or bank details, call your bank now using the number on your card. If you entered a password, change it on the real website and turn on two-step verification. Then report the message and delete it. ## Official sources and further reading We check our pages against official advice from the organisations themselves and from government agencies. - [Help with online security](https://www.royalmail.com/help/scam-protection) (Royal Mail) - [Typical online scams to look out for](https://www.royalmail.com/help/scam-examples) (Royal Mail) - [Report a scam text message](https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams/report-scam-text-message) (National Cyber Security Centre) ### Got a message like this? Paste the message or link Check it free ### Still unsure? Describe what happened and our AI assistant will help, in any language. Ask TapSafely ### Seen this scam? Your report helps warn people in your area. [Report it](https://tapsafely.com/report) ### Free check tools - [Link checker](https://tapsafely.com/link-checker) - [QR code checker](https://tapsafely.com/qr-code-checker) - [Screenshot checker](https://tapsafely.com/screenshot-scam-checker) - [Scam glossary](https://tapsafely.com/scam-glossary) ## Related [Guide ### Fake delivery texts and customs-fee scams Got a text saying your parcel is on hold until you pay a small fee? 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