Trading standards chiefs today warned Shropshire residents to be on their guard against postal and e-mail scams with Christmas approaching.

They say this time of year traditionally sees an increase in scams and officers are urging everyone to be extra vigilant when opening e-mails or post they aren’t expecting.

Telford & Wrekin Council trading standards officers say hoax e-mails are currently circulating which claim to be from DHL or FedEx but are in fact a virus.

Council spokeswoman Rebecca Parry said: “These specific e-mails allege that a package has been returned to the DHL/FedEx office due to an incorrect address.

“They state that in an attachment is a letter and mailing label that you are asked to print off.

“The so-called mailing label is in fact a computer virus.

“Do not open the attachment.”

She said postal scams had been doing the rounds for a number of years and one particular one which is prevalent at Christmas originated from Belize and so was difficult to stop as it was outside the UK.

Miss Parry said: “You receive a card in the post usually from a company called PDS — Parcel Delivery Service.

“They suggest that they have been unable to deliver a parcel and ask you to call a 0900 telephone number — this is a premium rate number.

“If you were to call the number it would cost you a small fortune.”

She said anyone receiving a card with details such as those should contact Royal Mail Fraud on 020 723 96655 or ICTIS, the premium rate service regulator, at www.ictis.org.uk

Councillor Miles Hosken, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for community protection and cohesion, said: “Remember there is a scam out there for everyone. Be aware this Christmas time.

“If you are not expecting a delivery it may be someone trying to cheat you out of your well earned and much needed cash.”

Anyone uncertain about any mail or who thinks they could be the victim of a scam should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.

By Simon Hardy