Package Delivery Text Scam: How to Spot It and Verify Safely
Key Takeaways
- Everyone is waiting for a package: That is why delivery scams work - the premise is always plausible.
- Real carriers do not ask for fees via text: Redelivery fees collected through text links are scams.
- The link is the trap: Clicking leads to fake sites that collect card details or credentials.
- Verify through official apps: Real delivery issues appear in USPS, FedEx, UPS apps and retailer accounts.
- Shortened URLs are a red flag: Legitimate carriers use their own domains in tracking links.
If you are not expecting a package, treat delivery links as suspicious. If you are expecting one, check tracking in the retailer or carrier app you open yourself, not through the text.
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Why Package Delivery Scams Are So Effective
At any given time, millions of people are waiting for packages. A vague "delivery problem" message is almost always plausible. And the urgency ("redelivery fee required today") pushes people to click before verifying.
The scammers do not need to know you have a package coming. They just need the message to seem plausible enough that you click "just to check."
The Psychology of Delivery Scams
- Plausibility: You probably are waiting for something. The message might be real.
- Routine behavior: Checking delivery status is a normal, low-stakes action. Clicking feels safe.
- Small amounts: A $1.99 "redelivery fee" seems harmless - worth paying to get your package.
- Urgency: "Final delivery attempt" or "return to sender" creates time pressure.
- Trusted brands: USPS, FedEx, UPS are trusted names. Impersonating them transfers that trust.
Real Package Scam Messages (And Why People Fall for Them)
Example 1: The Address Problem
What the message says:
"USPS: Your package cannot be delivered due to incomplete address information. Update here to schedule redelivery: [link]"
Why people fall for it:
- Address problems happen - this seems like a fixable issue
- USPS is a trusted sender
- Updating your address seems like the logical next step
- The link appears to lead to a solution
Safe response: Open the USPS app or usps.com directly. Track your package there. Real address issues are shown in tracking.
Example 2: The Redelivery Fee
What the message says:
"FedEx: Delivery attempted. Package will be returned to sender. Pay $1.99 redelivery fee to schedule new delivery: [link]"
Why people fall for it:
- The amount is small - seems worth it to get your package
- "Return to sender" creates urgency
- FedEx is a trusted brand
- Paying a small fee seems reasonable for a service
Reality: FedEx does not charge surprise redelivery fees via text. This is a credit card harvesting scheme.
Safe response: Do not pay. Check tracking at fedex.com directly.
Example 3: The Customs Fee
What the message says:
"Your international package is held at customs. Pay $3.50 processing fee to release: [link]"
Why people fall for it:
- International shipping does involve customs
- Small processing fees seem plausible
- "Held at customs" sounds official
- You may actually have ordered something international
Safe response: Real customs fees are handled by the carrier and appear on official tracking pages, not random texts.
What Scammers Get From Delivery Scams
| What You Enter | What They Get | What They Do With It |
|---|---|---|
| Credit card for "small fee" | Full card number, expiry, CVV | Fraudulent purchases, sell card data on dark web |
| USPS/UPS account login | Access to your delivery history and address | Package theft, identity theft |
| Personal info (name, address, phone) | Identity data | Identity theft, targeted scams |
| Email and password | Credentials that may work elsewhere | Account takeover on other sites |
How to Check If a Delivery Text Is Real
| Check | How to Do It | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Sender number | Real carriers use short codes or official numbers | Random phone numbers are suspicious |
| Link domain | Should be usps.com, fedex.com, ups.com | Other domains are fake |
| Your orders | Check retailer apps for pending deliveries | If nothing is pending, text is fake |
| Tracking number | Real texts include tracking numbers you can verify | No tracking number is suspicious |
| Fee request | Carriers do not collect surprise fees via text | Any fee request is a red flag |
What to Do If You Already Clicked
If You Clicked But Did Not Enter Anything
- Close the page immediately
- You are likely safe if you did not enter information
- Check your actual deliveries through official apps
- Block and report the text
If You Entered Payment Information
- Contact your card issuer immediately
- Report the card as compromised
- Request a new card with a new number
- Document the transaction (screenshot, amount, date)
- Monitor statements for unauthorized charges
If You Entered Login Credentials
- Go to the real carrier site (type URL yourself)
- Change your password immediately
- Check for unauthorized changes to your account
- Enable two-factor authentication if available
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How Guardio Protects Against Delivery Scams
Delivery scam pages are designed to look exactly like USPS, FedEx, or UPS. The only difference is where your information goes. Guardio catches these at the moment you click:
- Lookalike domain detection: Domains like "usps-delivery-update.com" or "fedex-redelivery.net" are flagged even if they were registered today.
- Real-time page analysis: Guardio analyzes page behavior, not just appearance. Credential and payment harvesting pages are detected by their function.
- Link destination preview: Before a page loads, Guardio evaluates where you are actually going - catching redirects and shortened URLs.
- Cross-device coverage: Whether you click on your phone or computer, Guardio provides protection.
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Report Delivery Scams
- USPIS: Report USPS-related scams
- Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM)
- FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Sources
FAQs
Is it safe to click a delivery tracking link in a text?
It is safer to not click. Open the carrier app or official site directly and track there.
How do I verify a delivery message is real?
Check your order confirmation and track using official apps or sites you open yourself. Avoid tracking through message links.
Why do delivery scams ask for a small fee?
Fees can be a way to capture payment details. Legit carriers typically do not collect surprise fees through random text links.
What if I do have a package coming?
Track it through the retailer account or the carrier app. Do not rely on the text link.
Should I reply to the text?
No. Do not engage. Report and block if it is suspicious.
What should I do if I clicked?
Close the page. If you entered details, change passwords and monitor accounts for unusual activity.
