Warning over scam 'undelivered parcel' text
Hertfordshire Police are warning us about clicking on suspicious links
Be careful if you get a text about an undelivered package - it could be a scam.
That's the warning from Hertfordshire Police, after people have been caught out and handed over their card details.
What's in the message?
The messages appear to be from couriers like DPD and Royal Mail, stating that they have tried to deliver a parcel and asking you to click a link to reschedule the delivery.
The link directs you to an authentic looking website, which asks for your full name, address, date of birth and mobile number.
Upon completion of the form, you are then asked to enter full credit card details.
Our reporter Abi Simpson got the text:
"I was surprised at how convincing it was because normally I find these scam texts can be a little bit obvious.
"I don't know whether it was because I have lots of Christmas parcels or whatever being delivered at the minute, but I clicked on the link without really thinking about it and it was only when it asked me to redeliver for the 31st November that I clicked that anything was wrong."
So far there have been no reported loses to victims in Hertfordshire.
Detective Inspector Rob Burns, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit, said:
“This scam is very convincing with Christmas a few weeks away and many people are shopping online and waiting for their orders to be delivered.
“It’s important to check the details in the messages and make sure it is genuinely related to an item you have ordered.
"Does the message use your name, rather than to an email address?
"Does it mention the goods or company you have ordered items from? If in doubt do not click the link and contact the vendor directly via their website.
“Please help us to raise awareness by talking about this with your friends and family, especially if they are vulnerable or elderly.”
Get advice & report a crime
Visit www.actionfraud.police.uk or www.herts.police.uk/protectyourmoney for advice on avoiding scams.
If you believe that you are a victim of this scam, report online to actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
Alternatively, you can contact herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in their Force Communications Room via online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call the non-emergency number 101.
If a crime is in progress or someone’s life is in danger, call 999 immediately.