High riskDelivery & Postal Scams

PostNL Text Scam

This scam sends a fake PostNL text about a missed delivery, address issue, or small fee, linking to a page that collects your card and personal details.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Delivery impersonation (smishing)
Main red flag
An unexpected PostNL text asking you to pay a fee or confirm details via a link.
What to do first
Do not click. Check any delivery through PostNL's official website or app.

What this scam usually looks like

This scam sends a fake PostNL text about a missed delivery, address issue, or small fee, linking to a page that collects your card and personal details.

Example message pattern

Example pattern — not a real report
Example pattern: 'PostNL: Your parcel could not be delivered due to unpaid shipping costs. Pay here to reschedule: [suspicious link]'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Red flags to watch for

  • A delivery text when you may not be expecting a parcel
  • A small redelivery or 'fee' request
  • A link that is not the official postnl.nl domain
  • Urgent wording about the parcel being returned
  • A request for card or personal details

What to do

  • Check tracking directly on PostNL's official website or app
  • Report the scam text to PostNL through official channels
  • Verify any genuine charge through official channels
  • Delete the message and block the sender

If you already clicked or replied

  • Do not enter card or personal details on the page
  • If you paid, contact your bank to flag or freeze the card
  • Change passwords for any reused login
  • Watch your statements for unexpected charges

What not to do

  • Do not click the link or enter details
  • Do not reply to the message
  • Do not download any app the link suggests

Similar scams

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GLS Text Scam

This scam sends a fake GLS text about a held parcel, address problem, or small fee, linking to a page that harvests your card and personal information.
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DHL Text Scam

This scam sends a fake DHL message about a held parcel or unpaid customs fee, pushing you to a phishing page that collects your card and personal details.
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Fake Delivery Text Scam

This scam impersonates a courier with a missed-delivery text and a link to a fake page that asks for a fee or your personal and card details.

Frequently asked questions

Does PostNL charge fees by text link?
Genuine redelivery is normally free, and any real charge can be confirmed through PostNL's official website. A fee demanded via a text link is a common scam pattern.
I am expecting a parcel, so is it real?
Scammers count on this. Check the tracking on the official site or app rather than using the link in the text.
How do I report a PostNL scam text?
Report it through PostNL's official channels, forward it to your mobile provider's spam service if available, and delete it.
What if I already paid the fee?
Contact your bank right away to flag the payment and protect your card, and watch for further charges.

Last reviewed: June 2026

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.