Police are warning members of the public that a scam email is currently being sent out to people fraudulently claiming to be from Royal Mail. 
The email states the postal service is holding an item for the customer. The subject header is “Mail – Lost/Missing Package” and reads:
“Royal Mail have detained your package for some reason (for example, lack of a proper invoice, bill of sale, or other documentation, a possible trademark violation or if the package requires formal entry). The Royal Mail International Mail Branch holding it will notify you of the reason for detention (in writing) and how you can get it released.”
The email then asks the recipient to open up an attachment to complete a document. It is believed that the attachment contains a zip file with a malicious virus.
Royal Mail is aware of the scam and is taking action to protect customers from these fraudsters.
Royal Mail said they would never:
:: Send an email asking for credit card numbers or other personal or confidential information;
:: Ask customers to enter information on a page that isn’t part of the Royal Mail website;
:: Include attachments unless the email was solicited by a customer e.g. the customer has contacted Royal mail with an enquiry or has signed up for updates from Royal Mail.
Royal Mail advise customers NOT to open the attachment if they receive this email and to report the scam email to Action Fraud by calling the 0300 123 2040 or via the web reporting template at www.actionfraud.police.uk.
Advice regarding the scam can also be found on the Royal Mail website at: http://www.royalmail.com/personal/help-and-support/I-think-Ive-had-an-email-from-a-company-pretending-to-be-royal-mail.
A PSNI spokesperson said local crime prevention officers could also offer advice on how to recognise a potential scam and the PSNI website contained a “very useful Little Book of Big Scams” which was free to download -http://www.psni.police.uk/psni_little_book_of_big_scams_online_29.11.12.pdf.
If you believe you have been a victim of a scam you report the incident to police on 0845 600 8000 and to Action Fraud at http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/home or telephone 0300 123 2040.
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