Hermes scam: Shoppers warned to be on ‘high alert’ as fake messages circulate: ‘Never pay’

Martin Lewis shares tips for checking scams

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Courier services such as Hermes, Royal Mail and DHL have seen an increase in scams. These can target customers via text, email or social media.

Fake messages are not always easy to spot and can often include official logos and links to convincing-looking websites.

Lots of people have used social media to share scams they have received and offer a warning.

One person wrote: “Just to alert folks that there’s a Hermes scam, similar to the Royal Mail one, doing the rounds.

“I received a text tonight claiming that Hermes tried to make a delivery but missed me, with a link included for redelivery. Don’t click on it!”

Another shared a screenshot of a fake message, which read: “Hermes: We attempted to deliver your parcel today and was unsuccessful, to reschedule delivery please follow this link.”

A third shared a message which asked them to pay up to rearrange delivery.

The fake message said: “HERMES: Sorry we missed you. Our driver will be redelivering tomorrow. Please reschedule and cover the £1.45 service fee here.”

Another similar fake message read: “Hermes: Sorry we missed you, our driver will attempt to redeliver tomorrow. Please reschedule and cover the 1.99 GBP service fee.”

An expert shared advice for customers who are sent suspicious messages.

Digital Privacy Expert at ProPrivacy Ray Walsh encouraged Britons to be on “high alert” for messages asking for payment.

He said: “It is vital that consumers throughout the UK are on high alert for fraudulent Hermes smishing texts, because it could leave victims open to the theft of their personal information and payment details as we have seen with similar Royal Mail and DHL courier scams.

“The scam message asks the recipient to pay a fee of £1.45 to have their parcel redelivered, before linking to a phishing site that steals the information they enter.

“Anybody who receives a text message, phone call, or email, asking them to pay to have a parcel redelivered is advised to contact the vendor directly to find out the status of their delivery.”

The expert stated most people waiting for deliveries should not have to pay extra fees.

If they are concerned, shoppers should contact the courier service directly to find out if the message is legitimate.

The expert added customers who receive a scam message should not pay until they have done this.

They should also avoid clicking on links or giving away personal information.

“Never agree to pay a fee without contacting the vendor and the delivery service first, because it is highly likely that your parcel is still on the way and that you don’t need to pay anything,” Ray continued.

“Anybody who falls for this kind of scam will have their personal information stolen by scammers who will use it to engage in identity theft and fraud.

“If you receive a message or email that asks you to pay a Hermes redelivery fee, look closely at the URL.”

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