‘Unpaid Shipping Fee’ Royal Mail Phishing Scam Messages

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Written by: Stelian Pilici

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Scams have become an unfortunate reality in the digital age, with cybercriminals constantly devising new ways to deceive unsuspecting individuals. One such scam that has gained significant traction in recent times is the ‘Unpaid Shipping Fee’ Royal Mail phishing scam messages. These fraudulent messages, disguised as legitimate communication from the renowned postal service, aim to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information or making payments to the scammers.

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What is the ‘Unpaid Shipping Fee’ Royal Mail Phishing Scam?

The ‘Unpaid Shipping Fee’ Royal Mail phishing scam involves cybercriminals sending out fraudulent messages that appear to be from Royal Mail, a well-known postal service in the United Kingdom. These messages typically inform the recipient that a package is being held due to an unpaid shipping fee and provide a link or instructions to make the payment.

These scam messages are designed to create a sense of urgency and exploit the recipient’s trust in Royal Mail. They often use official logos, branding, and language to make the messages appear genuine. However, clicking on the provided link or following the instructions can lead to dire consequences.

How Does the Scam Work?

The ‘Unpaid Shipping Fee’ Royal Mail phishing scam works by tricking recipients into taking actions that compromise their personal and financial information. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how the scam typically unfolds:

  1. The recipient receives an email, text message, or voicemail claiming to be from Royal Mail.
  2. The message informs the recipient that a package is being held due to an unpaid shipping fee.
  3. The recipient is instructed to click on a link or follow specific instructions to make the payment.
  4. Clicking on the link redirects the recipient to a fake website that closely resembles the official Royal Mail website.
  5. The fake website prompts the recipient to enter personal and financial information, such as their name, address, credit card details, or bank account information.
  6. Once the recipient submits the information, it is captured by the scammers, who can then use it for identity theft, financial fraud, or other malicious activities.

It is important to note that Royal Mail does not send unsolicited emails or text messages asking for payment details. Therefore, any such communication should be treated with suspicion.

What to Do If You Have Fallen Victim?

If you have fallen victim to the ‘Unpaid Shipping Fee’ Royal Mail phishing scam or suspect that your personal information has been compromised, it is crucial to take immediate action to minimize the potential damage. Here are the steps you should follow:

  1. Change your passwords: Start by changing the passwords for all your online accounts, especially those related to banking, email, and social media.
  2. Contact your bank or credit card provider: Inform your bank or credit card provider about the situation and request a freeze on your accounts or any suspicious transactions.
  3. Monitor your accounts: Regularly monitor your bank statements, credit reports, and other financial accounts for any unauthorized activity.
  4. Report the scam: Report the scam to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting center for fraud and cybercrime. You can do this online through their official website.
  5. Run a scan with Malwarebytes: To ensure your device is free from any malware or viruses that may have been installed through the scam, it is recommended to run a scan with Malwarebytes Free.

Technical Details of the Scam

The ‘Unpaid Shipping Fee’ Royal Mail phishing scam utilizes various techniques to deceive recipients and make the scam appear legitimate. Here are some technical details of the scam:

  • Spoofed email addresses: The scammers often use email addresses that closely resemble the official Royal Mail email addresses, making it difficult to distinguish between genuine and fraudulent messages.
  • Phishing websites: The fake websites used in the scam are designed to mimic the official Royal Mail website, including similar layouts, logos, and colors. However, the URLs may contain slight variations or misspellings.
  • Social engineering tactics: The scammers employ social engineering tactics to create a sense of urgency and manipulate recipients into taking immediate action without thoroughly verifying the authenticity of the message.
  • Malware distribution: In some cases, clicking on the provided link or downloading attachments from the scam messages can lead to the installation of malware on the recipient’s device. This malware can then be used to steal sensitive information or gain unauthorized access.

Statistics on Royal Mail Phishing Scams

Royal Mail phishing scams, including the ‘Unpaid Shipping Fee’ scam, have become increasingly prevalent in recent years. Here are some statistics that highlight the scale of the issue:

  • In 2020, Action Fraud received over 1,700 reports of Royal Mail-related phishing scams, with losses totaling more than £1.3 million.
  • Between April and September 2021, there was a 538% increase in reported Royal Mail phishing scams compared to the same period in the previous year.
  • According to a survey conducted by Royal Mail, 55% of UK adults have received a fraudulent email or text message claiming to be from the company.

Summary

The ‘Unpaid Shipping Fee’ Royal Mail phishing scam is a deceptive scheme that aims to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information or making payments to cybercriminals. By disguising their messages as legitimate communication from Royal Mail, scammers exploit the trust and urgency of recipients. It is crucial to remain vigilant and skeptical of unsolicited messages, especially those requesting personal or financial information. If you have fallen victim to such a scam, take immediate action by changing passwords, contacting your bank, monitoring your accounts, reporting the scam, and running a scan with Malwarebytes. By staying informed and taking proactive measures, you can protect yourself from falling prey to these phishing scams.

How to Stay Safe Online

Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:

  1. Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.

    Shield Guide

    It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.

  2. Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.

    updates-guide

    Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.

  3. Be careful when installing programs and apps.

    install guide

    Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."

  4. Install an ad blocker.

    Ad Blocker

    Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.

  5. Be careful what you download.

    Trojan Horse

    A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.

  6. Be alert for people trying to trick you.

    warning sign

    Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.

  7. Back up your data.

    backup sign

    Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.

  8. Choose strong passwords.

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    Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.

  9. Be careful where you click.

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    Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.

  10. Don't use pirated software.

    Shady Guide

    Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.

To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.

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