Cumbria Trading Standards has alerted residents to a scam involving fraudsters claiming to represent the Royal Mail.

The trading standards body issued a warning last week via social media, echoing the concerns raised by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute over reports of scams involving individuals claiming to be from the Royal Mail.

The email informs the recipient that further information is required to successfully deliver a parcel, and a link is provided which requests personal details.

This scam has also been attempted via text, WhatsApp message and on the phone.

Scammers also claim to represent other delivery services, besides the Royal Mail.

Katherine Hart, lead officer for the CTSI, said: "Email scams like this one operate throughout the year, but they become more dangerous when parcel deliveries surge at Christmas time, and members of the public may confuse them for legitimate emails.