Royal Mail : response to Daily Mail article

ROYAL MAIL IS COMMITTED TO STOPPING SCAM MAIL

We very much understand the upset and disquiet that scam mail can cause to impacted customers, including vulnerable people. We take the list submitted to us by the Daily Mail very seriously. We have closely examined the list of companies suspected by the Daily Mail of sending scam mail. We have already passed it to our partners in the National Trading Standards Scams Team so that they can investigate further.

Royal Mail does not knowingly distribute mail from fraudsters. We do all we can to stop scam mail by working with a broad range of enforcement agencies. Since 2014, we have terminated contracts where companies have been proven to be operating scam mail. This has prevented an estimated 22 million items from reaching UK households and businesses.

We have also contacted Whistl and other postal companies, which submit mail into our network. We have asked them to review any suspect contracts as a matter of urgency. We will follow up with them and confirm the action they have taken.

We are legally required to deliver all addressed mail to the UK's 29 million addresses, whether this mail comes from home or abroad. As the UK's designated Universal Service Provider, we are also legally required to deliver mail that Whistl and a number of other postal operators put into our network. It is against the law for Royal Mail to open mail that is in transit. That would raise serious privacy concerns.

As part of Royal Mail's general terms and conditions, our customers are required to ensure mail items meet all relevant laws and regulations. They must specifically comply with UK consumer law. We are committed to terminating contracts with companies that distribute fraudulent mail as soon as we receive evidence from relevant law enforcement agencies.

We devote considerable resources to tackling this issue. In 2014, we set up a joint initiative with the National Trading Standards Scams Team to create a new, improved process for terminating the contracts of companies that send fraudulent mail. We have a dedicated reporting system for both employees and customers to identify and stop scam mail. Officers from Trading Standards have held dedicated training sessions at Royal Mail delivery offices across the UK. This training aims to improve awareness of scam mail among thousands of postmen and women so that they can report suspect items.

Just as newspapers would never intentionally publish advertisements that promote defective goods or illegal activities, Royal Mail never knowingly handles scam mail. We simply do not want to handle scam mail or make any money from this terrible activity. That is why we cease to do business with these people as soon as law enforcement agencies alert us to scamming activity. '

IS ROYAL MAIL FACILITATING MASS SCAM MAIL?

No. Royal Mail does not knowingly distribute mail from fraudsters. We do all we can to stop scam mail by working with a broad range of enforcement agencies, including the National Trading Standards Scams Team.

Royal Mail understands the upset and disquiet that scam mail can cause to impacted customers, including vulnerable people. We take the claims submitted to us by the Daily Mail very seriously.

Since 2014, we have terminated contracts where companies have been by proven by National Trading Standards Scams Team to be operating scam mail. This has prevented an estimated 22 million items from reaching UK households and businesses.

Royal Mail has also contacted Whistl - and other postal companies who submit mail into our network - asking them to review any suspect contracts as a matter of urgency. We will continue to work with these companies to confirm the action they have taken.

WHY DOES ROYAL MAIL NOT OPEN LETTERS TO DEAL WITH SCAM MAIL?

We are legally required to deliver all addressed mail to the UK's 29 million addresses. This applies whether this mail has been sent from within the UK or abroad. As the UK's designated Universal Service Provider, Royal Mail is also legally required to deliver mail that Whistl and other postal operators put into our network.

It is against the law for Royal Mail to open mail that is in transit. That would raise serious privacy concerns.

As part of Royal Mail's general terms and conditions, our customers are required to ensure mail items meet all relevant laws and regulations. They must specifically comply with UK consumer law. We are committed to terminating contracts with companies that distribute fraudulent mail. We will do so as soon as we receive evidence from relevant law enforcement agencies.

We devote considerable resources to tackling this issue. In 2014, we set up a joint initiative with the National Trading Standards Scams Team. This is about a new, improved process for terminating the contracts of companies that send fraudulent mail.

We have a dedicated reporting system for both employees and customers to identify and stop scam mail. Officers from Trading Standards have held dedicated training sessions at our delivery offices. This training aims to improve awareness of scam mail among thousands of postmen and women so they report suspect items.

HOW IS ROYAL MAIL LOOKING TO DO TO IMPROVE HOW IT DEALS WITH SCAM MAIL?

Royal Mail does not knowingly distribute mail from fraudsters. We do all we can to stop scam mail by working with a broad range of enforcement agencies, including the National Trading Standards Scams Team.

Whenever we have evidence from the relevant law enforcement bodies, such as National Trading Standards Scams Team, Royal Mail will take action to close accounts. When we receive evidence

from enforcement bodies about scam companies we will share this with Whistl and other postal operators so they can also take the appropriate action.

Royal Mail understands the upset and disquiet that scam mail can cause to impacted customers, including vulnerable people. We devote considerable resources to tackling this issue.

We have a dedicated reporting system for both employees and customers to identify and stop scam mail. Officers from Trading Standards have held dedicated training sessions at our delivery offices. This training aims to improve awareness of scam mail among thousands of postmen and women so they report suspect items.

In 2014, we set up a joint initiative with the National Trading Standards Scams Team. This is about a new, improved process for terminating the contracts of companies that send fraudulent mail.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I RECEIVE SCAM MAIL OR HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF A SCAMMER?

Royal Mail is determined to do all we can to prevent scam mail. We want to know about potentially fraudulent mail so we can work with the relevant authorities, who can then investigate and take action.

If you think you or a family member is receiving scam mail, you can report it to us by completing this Scam Mail Report and sending it to the Freepost address below. Also send any items of mail that you believe to be from fraudsters. Alternatively, let us know your full name, address and a contact telephone number via the email or telephone options below and we will send you a form to complete together with a prepaid addressed envelope. By post: FREEPOST SCAM MAIL By Telephone: 03456 113 413 (message service only) By Email: scam.mail@royalmail.com

ENDS

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