The Home Office has issued a warning as criminals impersonate delivery companies
Charlotte Smith Senior Lifestyle Content Editor
11:23, 25 Nov 2025Updated 11:30, 25 Nov 2025
The Government and Evri are joining forces to warn shoppers(Image: Getty )
The Home Office has issued a stark warning to those snapping up ‘bargain’ products this Black Friday and expecting parcel deliveries. Scammers are capitalising on the season, impersonating delivery firms like Evri to trick unsuspecting people awaiting their orders. Police say scammers are “looking to take advantage of online shopping and delivery opportunities”.
As the festive shopping frenzy looms and Black Friday is just around the corner, the public is being urged to stay alert as delivery fraud hits an all-time high. The Home Office and Evri have joined forces to equip shoppers with the knowledge and tools they need to identify scams before falling victim, by adhering to the government’s ‘Stop!’ campaign. Think Fraud advice.
Phishing remains a primary strategy. Fraudsters send persuasive messages that appear to come from trusted delivery companies, such as Evri, via text or email, claiming that a parcel can’t be delivered or requires immediate attention.
Victims are coerced into clicking on dubious links that lead them to fake websites, crafted to mirror the official sites of delivery firms. Here, they’re prompted to input sensitive information or make a payment to receive their parcel, effectively handing over personal or financial data straight to the criminals, reports the Mirror.
By complying with these deceitful instructions, victims expose themselves to identity theft and financial losses. Anyone can fall prey to fraud, regardless of who you are or where you shop: there’s no ‘typical’ victim.
close up woman hand add product to card at shopping online mobile app on wood table at home
Fresh figures from Evri reveal that nearly 10,000 incidents of delivery fraud were reported to the firm throughout last year’s Black Friday period. The enormous number of parcels and expectation of deliveries also makes it simpler for fraudsters to carry out their schemes. They regularly pose as reputable courier companies such as Evri to trick unsuspecting targets.
Lord Hanson, Fraud Minister said: “As the festive shopping season brings excitement and pressure to act swiftly, it is more crucial than ever to protect yourself from potential scams. A message that looks routine could be a scam aimed at taking your hard-earned money. Always remember: Stop! Think Fraud before acting on any delivery message or special offer.
“This government has worked with mobile networks to block more than one billion scam text messages and through our strengthened Fraud Strategy we will go even further to protect the public, ensuring that the UK is hostile for fraudsters.”
Shopper urged to be wary of anyone pretending to be from delivery companies like Evri
Lee Howard, Head of Information Security and Information Risk at Evri, said: “These criminals use what we call the ‘spray and pray’ method, taking advantage of the millions of parcels, we deliver to households every day. They know sending thousands of messages every day means some of them are likely to reach some people expecting a parcel, especially as parcel volumes rise over the festive period and people get busier and busier.
“Lots of these messages try to charge a ‘redelivery fee’ which is nonsense – we will attempt delivery three times before an item is returned, we will never charge a re-delivery fee. We work relentlessly to take down and disrupt these malicious scams, a successfully taking down more than 32,000, and we’d encourage consumers to keep reporting these messages.”
Fraudsters are also taking advantage of the festive shopping frenzy by targeting deal-seekers with increasingly sophisticated scams flogging substandard or completely fake products. Scammers frequently employ high-pressure sales techniques, including advertising bogus flash sales or manufacturing artificial urgency around stock levels.
The scale of the problem is substantial: during last year’s Christmas period alone, online shopping fraud left UK shoppers £11.8 million out of pocket, figures from City of London Police reveal. The government has pledged to collaborate closely with the industry to detect and defeat fraudsters.
This encompasses blocking fake phone numbers as part of a wider offensive against scammers, as set out in a Telecoms Agreement with leading mobile operators. As fraud continues to rise, remaining vigilant and taking straightforward precautions are the most effective methods.
How to protect your money and shop safely:
By always taking a moment to Stop! Think Fraud you can help protect yourself.Check reviews on trusted websites before you buy.Never pay by bank transfer and use a credit card if you have one.If you receive a message or phone call about a delivery, stop and think if the request is genuine before handing over personal information or making a payment.Contact the company directly using their official website or app.Do not click on links in unexpected messages.Turn on 2-step verification (2SV) for all your important accounts like your email or social media, as well as accounts that contain lots of personal or sensitive information. 2SV adds an extra layer of protection, so even if a criminal knows your password, they will not be able to access your account.Consumers should also report any other suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk or forward suspicious text messages to 7726 free of charge.
Practical advice to stay ahead of scammers when shopping Under the government’s Plan for Change, a broadened Fraud Strategy will boost public awareness and empower people. By improving education and fostering industry collaboration, consumers will be better shielded from fraud, enabling everyone to shop online with assurance.
Commander Tor Garnett, from the National Lead Force for Fraud, City of London Police, said: “It’s well known that Black Friday remains one of the busiest times of year for online shopping and receiving deliveries, with people making the most of the cheap prices and snapping up deals offered online. Unfortunately, this is a prime time for criminals to target unknowing members of the public looking to take advantage of online shopping and delivery opportunities.
“With over £11.8 million lost to online shopping fraud last festive period, we welcome the Government’s message to stop and check before buying items online or receiving items via delivery. Criminals will use the festive season as an opportunity to dupe consumers by using trust-tactics, like impersonating delivery companies on email or text and asking for money.
“Before making a purchase, ensure you stop and check where you’re buying from online. With criminals becoming savvier and AI being used to create scam websites or text messages, these can often appear as genuine. That is why we are supporting the Government’s campaign by encouraging everyone to spot the signs of delivery scams and online shopping fraud.”
