Package Delivery Text Scams in the USA: Is That USPS or FedEx Text Real?
Delivery text scams — known as 'smishing' — flood American phones every day. You get a text claiming a USPS, UPS, or FedEx package couldn't be delivered and that you must pay a small 'redelivery fee' or 'update your address' through a link. The link leads to a fake carrier site built to steal your card number and personal details. Real carriers do not text you a link demanding payment to release a package.
Real Scam Message Examples
These are real examples of messages used in this type of scam. If you receive something similar, do not click any links.
Example 1
“USPS: Your package is on hold due to an incomplete address. Please update within 24 hours or it will be returned: usps-redelivery-info.com/track”
Example 2
“FedEx: We attempted to deliver your parcel but a $1.99 customs fee is unpaid. Confirm payment to reschedule: fedex-parcel-fee.net/pay”
Example 3
“UPS Notice: Package #1Z9###### could not be delivered. A redelivery fee of $2.85 is required. Update here: ups-delivery-update.com”
Warning Signs of a Delivery Scam Text
- ⚠A text says your package is 'on hold' or 'couldn't be delivered' and asks for a small fee ($0.30–$3.99) to release it
- ⚠The link is a shortened URL or a lookalike domain (usps-tracking-help.com, not usps.com)
- ⚠The message asks for your address, card number, or a one-time verification code
- ⚠You aren't even expecting a package, or the tracking number doesn't match anything you ordered
- ⚠The text comes from an email address or a random 10-digit number, not an official short code
How Does This Scam Work?
- 1You receive a text about a package that's 'on hold' or 'couldn't be delivered'
- 2The message creates urgency with a 24-hour deadline and a small, easy-to-pay fee
- 3You tap the link and land on a convincing fake USPS, UPS, or FedEx page
- 4You enter your address and card details to 'pay the fee' or 'reschedule delivery'
- 5The scammer captures your card and personal info, then makes fraudulent charges or resells the data
Legitimate vs Scam: How to Tell the Difference
| Aspect | ✓ Legitimate | ✗ Scam |
|---|---|---|
| Fees | Carriers charge postage upfront; no surprise 'redelivery fee' by text | Demands a small fee ($1–$4) via a link to release the package |
| Links | Official domains: usps.com, ups.com, fedex.com | Lookalike or shortened URLs like usps-redelivery-info.com |
| How you track | You track with a number you got when you placed the order | Unsolicited text with a link for a package you didn't order |
| What they ask | No card or personal details needed to receive a package | Asks for card number, address, or a verification code |
What Should You Do?
- ✓Don't tap the link — go directly to usps.com, ups.com, or fedex.com and track with your own order number
- ✓Never enter card details to pay a 'redelivery fee' from a text
- ✓Paste the suspicious text into ScamCheck for an instant verdict
- ✓Report USPS-related smishing by forwarding the text to spam@uspis.gov (U.S. Postal Inspection Service)
- ✓Report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, then delete the text and block the sender
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Check it now — it's free →Frequently Asked Questions
Does USPS text you about delivery fees?
No. USPS does not send unsolicited texts with links demanding payment to release a package. If a redelivery is ever needed, it's arranged through usps.com or your local post office — never a small fee paid through a texted link.
What is smishing?
Smishing is phishing carried out by SMS text message. Delivery smishing impersonates USPS, UPS, or FedEx to trick you into tapping a link and entering your card number or personal details on a fake site.
I tapped the link but didn't enter anything — am I at risk?
Simply opening the link is lower risk than entering data, but be cautious. Don't enter any information, close the page, and consider running an anti-malware scan. If you entered card details, contact your bank right away.
How do I report a fake USPS or delivery text?
For USPS impersonation, forward the text to spam@uspis.gov (U.S. Postal Inspection Service). Report all delivery scams to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. You can also forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM) to alert your carrier.
Why did I get a delivery text when I'm not expecting a package?
Scammers send these texts in bulk to random numbers, betting that many people have a package coming. If you're not expecting a delivery — or the message is even slightly off — treat it as a scam and don't tap the link.
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