Package delivery scams are exploding as more Americans shop online and expect regular deliveries. These scams target anyone waiting for packages, using fake delivery notifications and phishing delivery emails to steal your money and personal information.
You’re especially vulnerable if you frequently order online, live in an apartment complex, or recently made purchases from unfamiliar retailers. Scammers know you’re expecting deliveries and use that expectation against you with convincing fake texts and emails that look like they’re from UPS, FedEx, or USPS.
This guide will help you recognize delivery scam warning signs before you fall victim. You’ll learn to spot common package delivery scam tactics like fake “stuck in customs” messages and suspicious package texts demanding immediate payment. We’ll also cover how to protect yourself from delivery fraud and what to do if you’ve already been targeted.
Your online shopping shouldn’t come with the fear of being scammed. With the right knowledge, you can enjoy the convenience of package deliveries while keeping scammers at bay.
Recognize Common Package Delivery Scam Types
Tariff Text Scams Targeting Import Duties
When you receive a text message claiming your package is stuck in customs and requires a tariff payment, you’re likely encountering a sophisticated package delivery scam. These fraudsters deliberately exploit consumer confusion about import duties to create a sense of urgency. You might receive messages stating that your order cannot be delivered until you pay an unexpected fee, with scammers capitalizing on your unfamiliarity with customs procedures. The messages often appear legitimate, complete with official-sounding language and references to government agencies, making it easy to fall victim to these fake delivery notifications.
Tracking Link Scams Requesting Personal Information
Your inbox or phone may receive suspicious package texts containing what appears to be a legitimate tracking link. These delivery fraud schemes typically urge you to click immediately to update your delivery preferences or payment information. Once you click these malicious links, you risk malware installation on your device or being redirected to fake websites designed to harvest your personal and financial details. The messages often create artificial urgency, claiming your package will be returned if you don’t act quickly, which are classic delivery scam warning signs you should recognize.
Brushing and Quishing Scams with Fake Packages
You might discover unexpected packages on your doorstep that you never ordered, which could indicate you’re a target of “brushing” scams. These unsolicited deliveries are part of elaborate schemes where scammers use your address to create fake positive reviews for products. Even more concerning is when these packages include QR codes presented as free gifts or promotional materials. You should never scan these codes, as they can lead to quishing attacks that redirect you to fraudulent websites designed to steal your identity and financial information.
Fake Missed Delivery Tags and Callback Numbers
Scammers may leave convincing “missed delivery” tags on your door featuring phone numbers for you to call regarding your supposedly failed delivery attempt. You might also receive voicemail messages with callback numbers, both designed to manipulate you into sharing sensitive information. These package scam protection measures require you to verify any missed delivery claims through official carrier websites rather than calling unknown numbers, as legitimate delivery services rarely request personal or financial details over the phone.
Identify Red Flags and Warning Signs
Urgent Payment Demands or Immediate Action Requests
When you receive communications about package deliveries, pay close attention to the tone and urgency of the message. Scammers deliberately create a false sense of urgency to pressure you into making hasty decisions without proper verification. You should be immediately suspicious of any message or caller that demands immediate payment or personal information to resolve a supposed delivery issue.
Legitimate delivery companies provide reasonable timeframes for addressing any problems and never pressure you for instant action. If someone insists that you must act “right now” or “within the next hour” to avoid losing your package or facing additional fees, this is a classic red flag indicating package delivery scams.
Unsolicited Texts and Emails from Unknown Senders
One of the most reliable ways to recognize delivery scams is to evaluate whether you’re expecting a package in the first place. Any communication regarding a package delivery is likely fraudulent if you haven’t recently placed an order or aren’t expecting a delivery. These fake delivery notifications often arrive randomly, targeting potential victims who might assume they forgot about an order.
You should also scrutinize the sender’s information carefully. Suspicious package texts and phishing delivery emails typically come from unknown numbers or email addresses that don’t match official delivery service contacts. Trust your instincts—if you don’t recognize the sender and weren’t expecting a delivery, treat the communication with extreme caution.
Requests for Personal or Financial Information
Understanding what legitimate delivery services will and won’t ask for is crucial in avoiding delivery scams. Authentic package delivery companies operate under strict privacy policies and never request sensitive personal details through unsolicited communications.
You should immediately recognize delivery scam warning signs when someone asks for:
- Account numbers or banking information
- Social Security numbers
- Financial passwords or PINs
- Social media login credentials
- Payment through gift cards, store credit cards, or cryptocurrency
These requests are clear indicators of delivery fraud prevention concerns, as legitimate companies use established billing systems and secure payment methods tied to your verified account information.
Links to Suspicious Websites with Misspelled Domain Names
Scammers often create convincing but fraudulent websites to steal your information or install malware on your device. When you receive links in delivery-related messages, examine the web addresses carefully before clicking. Look for subtle variations in well-known company names, such as “fedX.com” instead of “fedex.com” or “fed-ex.com” with unauthorized hyphens.
These deceptive domain names are designed to appear legitimate at first glance while directing you to dangerous websites. Package scam protection requires you to verify website authenticity by typing official company URLs directly into your browser rather than clicking provided links. Always double-check spelling, formatting, and official branding elements before entering any personal information on delivery-related websites.
Protect Yourself from Delivery Scams
Never Click Links or Call Numbers from Unexpected Messages
The first line of defense against package delivery scams is simple yet crucial: never interact with unexpected delivery notifications. When you receive unsolicited emails, texts, or calls claiming there’s an issue with your package, resist the urge to click any links or call the provided numbers. These communications often contain malicious links designed to steal your personal information or install malware on your device.
Suspicious emails frequently include file attachments that may contain viruses or spyware. Even if the message appears legitimate, opening these attachments can compromise your device’s security. Similarly, clicking on embedded links in unexpected delivery notices can redirect you to fraudulent websites that mimic legitimate shipping company pages, designed to harvest your login credentials and personal data.
Phone numbers included in these scam messages often connect you to fraudsters who will attempt to extract sensitive information like your Social Security number, credit card details, or bank account information under the guise of “resolving” a delivery issue.
Verify Information Through Official Company Websites
Now that we’ve covered why you shouldn’t trust unexpected messages, let’s explore how to properly verify delivery information. Always contact the delivery service or seller directly using verified contact information from official sources. This means visiting the company’s official website directly by typing the URL into your browser, rather than using links from suspicious messages.
You can also find verified contact numbers on your account statements, previous legitimate correspondence, or by searching for the company’s official website through a search engine. When you suspect a delivery problem, use these trusted channels to confirm whether the issue is genuine. Legitimate shipping companies maintain customer service departments that can quickly verify the status of your packages and alert you to any real delivery problems.
Use Only Verified Tracking Numbers from Original Purchase Confirmations
Your original order confirmation emails contain the most reliable tracking information. When monitoring your packages, always reference the tracking numbers provided directly by the merchant at the time of purchase. These emails typically include official tracking links that connect directly to the shipping company’s legitimate tracking system.
Before using any tracking number, carefully compare it with the details in your original purchase confirmation. Scammers often use fake tracking numbers or slightly altered versions of real ones to make their communications appear authentic. By cross-referencing all tracking information with your verified purchase records, you can quickly identify discrepancies that signal fraudulent activity.
Check Retailer and Shipping Company Communication Policies
Understanding how legitimate companies communicate with customers is essential for avoiding delivery scams. Take time to familiarize yourself with the communication policies of major shipping companies and online retailers you frequently use. This knowledge becomes your shield against fake delivery notifications.
Legitimate services like FedEx and UPS have clear policies about customer communication. These companies do not request payment or personal information through unsolicited texts and emails. They also don’t typically ask for immediate action through suspicious links or demand urgent responses to delivery issues. Most reputable shipping companies will attempt physical delivery multiple times and leave official notices at your address before requesting any additional information or payment for redelivery services.
Respond Safely to Suspicious Delivery Communications
Contact Delivery Services Using Official Phone Numbers
When you receive a suspicious delivery notice or call that seems questionable, your immediate response should be to hang up and verify independently. Never use phone numbers provided in suspicious messages, as these often lead to scam operations designed to steal your personal information or money. Instead, locate official contact numbers through legitimate channels – check the delivery service’s official website, your account statements, or previous legitimate correspondence.
This verification step is crucial for avoiding package delivery scams, as fraudsters often provide callback numbers that connect you directly to their operations. By using official phone numbers, you ensure you’re speaking with genuine customer service representatives who can confirm whether any delivery issues are legitimate or if you’ve been targeted by fake delivery notifications.
Forward Suspicious Messages to Proper Authorities
Now that you understand the importance of independent verification, you should also take proactive steps to help authorities combat these scams. Forward any suspicious emails you receive to spam@uspis.gov, which is the official reporting address for postal inspection services. This helps authorities track and investigate delivery fraud prevention efforts across the country.
For suspicious text messages, forward them to 7726 for official reporting. This standardized reporting system helps mobile carriers and law enforcement agencies identify patterns in phishing delivery emails and fraudulent text campaigns. Your reports contribute to broader efforts in recognizing delivery scams and protecting other potential victims.
Block Unknown Senders Through Mobile Service Providers
With suspicious messages properly reported, your next step involves protecting yourself from future communications. Many mobile service providers offer robust blocking features that you can activate by forwarding unwanted texts to 7726 (which spells SPAM on most keypads). This action serves a dual purpose – it reports the suspicious content while simultaneously helping to block the sender.
Different carriers offer varying levels of protection and blocking options, so contact your specific provider to understand all available features. Some offer advanced filtering that can automatically detect and block suspicious package texts before they reach your device, providing an additional layer of package scam protection.
Avoid International Callback Numbers That Charge High Fees
Previously, we’ve discussed verification and reporting, but you must also be cautious about the financial traps embedded in delivery scam warning signs. Fake delivery notices often include callback numbers that appear as standard 10-digit numbers but are actually international numbers designed to generate revenue for scammers through high connection fees and costly per-minute rates.
These numbers can result in significant charges on your phone bill, sometimes hundreds of dollars for just a few minutes of connection time. The scammers profit both from the premium charges and any personal information they can extract during the call. Always verify that any callback number belongs to a legitimate delivery service by cross-referencing it with official company contact information before dialing.
Report and Recover from Package Delivery Scams
File Reports with FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
Now that you’ve identified a package delivery scam, your first crucial step is to report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). This federal resource serves as a centralized hub for documenting and tracking package delivery scams across the nation. When you file a report with IC3, you’re contributing valuable data that helps law enforcement agencies identify patterns, track down scammers, and prevent future delivery fraud attempts. Your report should include all relevant details such as the fraudulent communication you received, any websites or phone numbers involved, and the specific tactics the scammers used to target you.
Contact Credit Bureaus for Fraud Alerts or Credit Freezes
If you shared sensitive personal information like your Social Security number during a package delivery scam encounter, immediate action is essential to protect your credit and identity. You should contact the Federal Trade Commission to report the identity theft and then reach out to the three major credit bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. These credit monitoring agencies can place a fraud alert on your credit file, which notifies potential creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening new accounts. For maximum protection, consider freezing your credit entirely, which prevents anyone from accessing your credit report without your explicit permission.
Notify Your Bank if Financial Information Was Compromised
Previously, if you’ve inadvertently shared any financial information with delivery scammers, time is of the essence. You must promptly report the incident to your bank or financial institution as soon as you realize the compromise. This includes situations where you provided credit card numbers, bank account details, or login credentials through fake delivery websites or over the phone. Your bank can immediately monitor your accounts for suspicious activity, place holds on potentially fraudulent transactions, and issue new cards or account numbers if necessary to prevent unauthorized access to your funds.
Forward Suspicious Content to Official Spam Reporting Services
With this protective framework in mind, you should also help authorities track and prevent future delivery scams by forwarding suspicious content to official spam reporting services. When you receive fraudulent delivery emails, forward them directly to spam@uspis.gov, which is operated by the United States Postal Inspection Service. For suspicious text messages related to package delivery scams, forward them to 7726, a short code that allows mobile carriers and authorities to analyze scam patterns and block future attempts. This collaborative approach strengthens the overall defense against package delivery scams and helps protect other potential victims from falling prey to similar fraudulent schemes.
Package delivery scams continue to evolve as online shopping becomes more prevalent, but you now have the knowledge to protect yourself. By recognizing common scam tactics like fake tracking links, tariff text scams, and brushing schemes, you can spot red flags before falling victim. Remember to never click suspicious links, avoid sharing personal information with unknown contacts, and always verify delivery issues directly with the official shipping company or retailer using verified contact information.
Stay vigilant and trust your instincts when receiving unexpected delivery notifications. If something feels off, it probably is. When in doubt, contact the legitimate shipping company directly, report suspicious communications to the appropriate authorities like the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center or forward suspicious texts to 7726. Your awareness and proactive response are your best defenses against these increasingly sophisticated scams that target unsuspecting consumers expecting legitimate deliveries.
