The telephone line, operated by bogus company National Post Force, has now been blocked but it is possible a new version will be set up.

Consumer watchdog Postwatch has issued a warning to customers to think very carefully before ringing any premium rate 090 numbers. Legitimate mail and parcel carriers do not charge premium telephone rates for their customer services.

Customers in North Wales, Birmingham, Nottingham and Surrey received a printed card which said that National Post Force were holding a package and invited them to call the 24 hr customer services line to arrange re-delivery.

The phone number cost £1.50 a minute to call. Customers who called were kept waiting while the operator supposedly waited for confirmation about the non-existent parcel. Customers reported holding on for up to four minutes, which cost them £6.

Customers in other parts of he UK may also have been duped and the chances are that the people behind National Post Force may continue the scam in other parts of the UK while simply changing their name and telephone number.

Peter Carr, Chairman of Postwatch, said: ”This kind of fraud could increase fears amongst customers to the detriment of the genuine providers of services such as ParcelForce of the Royal Mail Group. This must be stopped now. Customers must be warned of this illegal activity. Think twice before you dial 090.”

Customers are encouraged to telephone the Independent Committee for the

Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS) on 0800 500 212, to complain about bogus services associated with premium rate telephone lines.