Parcel delivery texts now the most common con-trick

Millions of mobile users have received the texts that claim a small payment is needed for a package delivery to be completed.

But the texts are a front for fraudsters attempting to steal personal banking details.

Cybersecurity firm Proofpoint told banks their prevalence was on the rise.

Impersonation

Smishing is a technique that criminals use to target consumers with texts impersonating trusted organisations.

Proofpoint, which provided data for the banking trade body UK Finance, said that over a 90-day period to mid-July, some 53% of these smishing attempts were via delivery texts. This compared with 23% of messages claiming to be from banks or financial institutions.

During the most recent 30-day period, some 67% of these scams were delivery text messages.

Tricked in a hurry

The text, claiming to be from Royal Mail or a delivery company arrives out of the blue and claims a parcel is awaiting delivery, but a small payment is required.

The message then links to a website mocked up to look like an official site. The page requests personal and payment details, which scammers may use to steal someone's identity, or use to target them with other scams.

Royal Mail said it would not use such texts - unless specifically requested - and would use a grey card instead to tell people if any fee was required.

• To report scams, contact Action Fraud
• To report email scams, contact the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) by emailing report@phishing.gov.uk
• For consumer advice, please call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58233743