WEEKLY FRAUD UPDATE FROM WEST MERCIA POLICE - ECONOMIC CRIME UNIT - 09/12/2025

PARCEL DELIVERY SCAMS

Following on from last week’s Fraud Update on Christmas Shopping scams, this week we are highlighting the fraudulent emails, texts and cards claiming to come from bona fide delivery companies but are not as they appear.

You have ordered goods from various online outlets and are perhaps now expecting multiple deliveries in the next few days. So, beware of any messages which may look as though they were sent from well-known delivery companies such as Royal Mail, DPD, Evri, and others.

These may claim that you have missed a delivery and either need to pay a fee for re-delivery or just offer a clickable link for organising a re-delivery. 

In the rush of the build up to Christmas it can be easy to drop your guard and just click on that link but just take a minute or two to think.

Did you expect a parcel via that courier, if you are unsure, go back to your original order or delivery notification and use the tracking details on the genuine company website to see when your parcel is coming. Never click on links in suspicious emails or texts however realistic they seem. This also applies to fake cards coming through your letterbox and claiming to be from Royal Mail. 

Fraudulent links can take you to sites that capture your financial information and hand it over to criminals. Always access websites by typing them into the web browser and avoid clicking on links in emails.

Finally, criminals are also active in following delivery vans and stealing any parcels left on doorsteps when residents are not at home. Arrange a “Safe” delivery location with your supplier if you are out, or have it delivered to a neighbour if possible.

Do not let criminals spoil your Christmas.

2 TIMELY UPDATES

FIFA WORLD CUP TICKETS

Football fans anxious to follow their home teams live in the USA will soon be rushing to buy tickets for the matches. The Fraudsters will also see this as an opening to seize the opportunity with fake ticket sales sites. 

Only buy tickets for the World Cup, or indeed any event or concert, from official and trusted sites and wherever possible pay by Credit Card to protect your payment.

TELEPHONE SCAMS

Fraudsters will often keep the phone line open after the call so even when you think you are calling a legitimate number you are still speaking to the fraudster. 

The advice has always been to wait for up to 15 minutes or make the call using a different phone line or mobile. There have been reports nationally that the fraudsters in some cases are now playing a dialling tone recording on the phone line, so you think the line is clear.

It is therefore probably safer to use another phone or else make a call to a known friend or relative to check the line is cleared, before ringing your bank or other official organisation that the fraudster has been claiming to represent.

Please feel free to share these messages with any vulnerable friends, relatives, or neighbours.

If you have been a victim of fraud

Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk

Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take prompt action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks.

You can also report fraudulent mobile calls by texting 7726 with the word “Call” followed by the fraudster’s phone number.

Scam calls received on WhatsApp can be blocked by opening the chat with the suspect phone number and tap on “Block”.

Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk

If you think your bank account or personal banking details have been used fraudulently, then use the short phone number - 159 - to contact the Fraud Prevention Department of most major UK banks.