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Package Delivery Scams

5 minute read

How to spot fake 'missed delivery' messages and protect yourself from scammers pretending to be shipping companies.

With more packages being delivered than ever, scammers have found the perfect disguise: fake delivery notifications. These messages claim there’s a problem with your package and trick you into clicking dangerous links or giving up personal information.

This guide will help you recognize these scams and show you the safe way to track your packages.

How Package Delivery Scams Work

The scam is simple but effective:

Step 1: You receive a text, email, or voicemail about a “delivery problem”

Step 2: The message urges you to click a link to “reschedule,” “confirm your address,” or “pay a small delivery fee”

Step 3: The link takes you to a fake website that looks like the real shipping company

Step 4: The fake site steals your personal information, credit card number, or installs malware on your device

Scammers know that at any given time, millions of people are expecting packages. The odds of reaching someone who’s actually waiting for a delivery are very high.

What These Scams Look Like

The Scam Text Message

“USPS: We have a package for you. Your address couldn’t be verified. Confirm here: usps-delivery-check.com/track”

“FedEx: Your package is waiting. Delivery fee required: $2.99. Pay now: fedex-fee.com/pay”

“UPS: We missed you! Reschedule delivery or your package will be returned: ups-reschedule.net/PKG82749”

These messages often look official and include convincing details like fake tracking numbers.

The Scam Email

Subject: Action Required: Package Delivery Failed

Dear Customer,

We attempted to deliver your package today but couldn’t complete the delivery. Your package will be returned to sender within 48 hours unless you reschedule.

[Click Here to Reschedule]

Thank you, FedEx Customer Service

The email might have the shipping company’s logo and look completely professional.

The Scam Voicemail

“This is a message from UPS. We have a package for you that requires a signature. Press 1 to schedule delivery, or your package will be returned.”

These robocalls aim to get you to speak with a scammer or press numbers that connect you to them.

Red Flags: How to Spot the Scam

The Message Itself

🚩 You weren’t expecting a package — Random delivery notifications are suspicious

🚩 Generic greeting — “Dear Customer” instead of your name

🚩 No specific tracking number you recognize — Or a fake-looking tracking number

🚩 Asks for payment — Real carriers don’t ask you to pay via text to receive packages

🚩 Creates urgency — “Will be returned tomorrow!” “Act now!”

🚩 Poor grammar or spelling — Professional companies proofread their messages

🚩 Doesn’t go to the official website — Real links end in usps.com, fedex.com, or ups.com

🚩 Contains extra words — usps-delivery-confirm.com is not USPS

🚩 Uses dashes or numbers — fedex-tracking.com, ups1.com

🚩 Is a shortened link — bit.ly, tinyurl, or similar

The Source

🚩 Came from a random phone number — Not from the carrier’s official number

🚩 Email is from a suspicious address — “usps-support@gmail.com” is not USPS

🚩 You didn’t sign up for text updates from this carrier

The Safe Way to Track Packages

Never click links in texts or emails about packages. Go directly to the carrier's website instead.

Here’s the safe approach:

Step 1: Find Your Tracking Number

Look in your email for the order confirmation from the retailer (Amazon, Target, etc.). It will include the real tracking number.

Step 2: Go Directly to the Carrier’s Website

Open your browser and type the address yourself:

  • USPS: usps.com
  • FedEx: fedex.com
  • UPS: ups.com
  • DHL: dhl.com
  • Amazon: Track directly in the Amazon app or amazon.com

Step 3: Enter Your Tracking Number

Use the tracking number from your order confirmation—not from a suspicious message.

Step 4: See the Real Status

If there’s actually a problem, you’ll see it on the official website. If not, the “problem” was fake.

What Legitimate Notifications Look Like

Real delivery notifications typically:

✓ Come from the retailer who shipped your order (Amazon, Target, Walmart)

✓ Come from official carrier apps you signed up for (USPS Informed Delivery, FedEx app)

✓ Include tracking numbers that match your order confirmation

✓ Link to real carrier websites (usps.com, fedex.com, ups.com)

✓ Don’t ask for payment to deliver your package

✓ Don’t create panic or extreme urgency

Common Tricks Scammers Use

“Pay a Small Fee”

“A $1.99 delivery fee is required. Pay now to receive your package.”

Real shipping fees are paid when you order, not at delivery. If you’ve already ordered something, you don’t owe extra fees via text message.

“Your Address Couldn’t Be Verified”

“We need to confirm your address before delivery. Click here.”

If there were a real address problem, the carrier would attempt delivery and leave a note, or the retailer would contact you.

“Your Package Will Be Returned”

“Act within 24 hours or your package will be returned to sender.”

Real carriers don’t threaten you via text. They attempt delivery multiple times and leave physical notices.

“Customs Payment Required”

“Your international package requires a $12.50 customs payment.”

If customs fees are actually owed, you’ll be notified through official channels—usually a mailed notice, not a random text.

If You Didn’t Enter Any Information

  1. Close the browser tab immediately
  2. Clear your browser history (optional, for peace of mind)
  3. You’re probably fine—just clicking a link usually isn’t enough to cause damage

If You Entered Personal Information

Login information:

  1. Go to the real carrier website immediately
  2. Change your password
  3. If you use that password elsewhere, change it everywhere

Credit card or payment information:

  1. Call your credit card company immediately
  2. Report potential fraud
  3. Consider requesting a new card number
  4. Monitor your statements closely

Address or phone number:

  1. Be alert for follow-up scams—they may target you again
  2. Report the scam to help others

If You Installed an App

Some scam links try to get you to install “tracking apps” that are actually malware:

  1. Delete the app immediately
  2. Run a security scan on your device
  3. Consider a factory reset to be safe
  4. Change passwords for any accounts on that device

For complete recovery steps: I Think I Was Scammed →

How to Report Package Delivery Scams

Help protect others by reporting:

  • Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) — This reports them to your carrier
  • Report to the FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
  • Report to the real carrier — USPS, FedEx, and UPS all have fraud reporting

Carrier Fraud Reporting Pages

USPS Informed Delivery: A Safer Alternative

If you’re a frequent online shopper, consider signing up for USPS Informed Delivery:

  • What it is: Free service from USPS that shows you what mail and packages are coming
  • How it helps: You’ll know what to expect, making fake notifications easier to spot
  • Sign up: informeddelivery.usps.com

FedEx, UPS, and Amazon also have official apps that provide legitimate tracking notifications.

Quick Summary

✓ Don’t click links in texts or emails about packages

✓ Go directly to the carrier’s official website to track packages

✓ Use tracking numbers from your order confirmation — not from suspicious messages

✓ Real carriers don’t ask for payment via text

✓ When in doubt, check the official website yourself

✓ Report scam texts by forwarding to 7726 (SPAM)