Next time you check your email inbox beware. It appears that a worrying new online hoax is targeting UK inboxes and falling for it could prove costly.

The latest alert has been issued by the team at Action Fraud with the national fraud and cyber reporting centre reporting that over 5,000 have been in touch to say they have received the scam message.

The email uses a well-known trick that suggests a parcel delivery has been missed with recipients then asked to pay a small fee to re-delivery.

What makes this threat more concerning is that the email appears to have come from the Royal Mail with the message even including the famous red branding and official logo.

Those who click on the links embedded in the message are then taken to a genuine-looking website where they are asked to fill in details to get the parcel sent out again.

Of course, there is no package with the scammers using this method in a bid to steal money.

“Action Fraud has received over 5,100 reports about fake emails purporting to be from Royal Mail,” the team said in a post on X (formerly Twitter ).

“The emails claim that the recipient has missed a delivery and that a parcel is waiting for them. The links in the emails led to genuine-looking Royal Mail websites that are designed to steal personal and financial information.”

If you get a message that suggests you’ve missed a delivery be on high alert as it’s likely to be a scam.

The Royal Mail also has a dedicated help section on its website which offers advice on how to stop becoming a victim of cyber crime.

“Fraudsters and criminals want to lure you into giving them something which they can use to their advantage,” the Royal Mail said.

“In a scam email or text message, their goal is often to convince you to click a link (this is known as ‘phishing’). Once clicked, you may be sent to a dodgy website which could download viruses onto your computer, or steal your passwords and personal information.

“Don’t fall for them. If you’re ever in doubt, you can report them to our dedicated team and delete them from your inbox or message / call history.”