Fake Delivery Texts and Missed-Package Cons: What Not to Click

A surprising number of scam messages begin with a simple claim: a package could not be delivered. The message may look like it came from the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, FedEx, Amazon, or another carrier. It may warn that your package is waiting or that a small redelivery fee is required. The goal is not to deliver anything. The goal is to get you to click a link, share personal information, or pay a criminal.

These cons work because they blend into ordinary life. Many households order medication, gifts, and supplies online. When a text says a delivery is stalled, it can feel urgent and believable. Scammers copy real logos, use official-sounding language, and include realistic tracking numbers.

The most common version is the fake missed-delivery text. It says your package is held because of an incomplete address, an unpaid fee, or a missed attempt. You are told to click a link to reschedule or pay a few dollars. The link leads to a fake carrier page. There, you may be asked for your name, address, phone number, email, and credit card. Once entered, the scammer can use the card or sell your details. Some sites install malware or ask for a password that can unlock other accounts.

Another version arrives by email. It may look like a shipping confirmation, customs notice, or failed delivery alert. The email often includes a tracking number and a button to reschedule delivery. The button takes you to a phishing site. If you enter login information, the scammer may try the same email and password on banking, shopping, and social media sites. Reusing passwords makes this worse.

Missed-package cons also appear offline. A fake door hanger may claim a delivery was attempted and give a phone number or QR code. Scanning the code can send you to a fraudulent payment page. Real carriers leave notices with official contact information and a real tracking number. If you get a door hanger, do not call the number printed on it. Look up the carrier’s customer service number yourself or check tracking through the retailer.

There are clear warning signs. An unexpected delivery message is the first. If you are not expecting a package, treat it as suspicious. A request for payment is another red flag. Major carriers do not text a link demanding a small redelivery fee. They do not need your Social Security number, date of birth, bank password, or full card details to reschedule a routine delivery. Poor grammar, odd sender addresses, and links that do not match the official domain are also signs.

If you receive one, do not click, reply, or call. Delete it after reporting it if possible. If you think a real package may be delayed, go directly to the retailer’s website or the carrier’s official app. Use the tracking number from your order confirmation. If you cannot find it, contact the seller or carrier through a phone number you look up yourself. Never trust a link in an unexpected text or email.

If you already clicked but did not enter information, close the page and run a security scan. If you entered card information, call your bank or card issuer immediately and ask them to block the card. If you entered a password, change it on that site and anywhere you reused it. Turn on two-factor authentication. If you entered a Social Security number, consider placing a freeze or fraud alert on your credit reports.

Report the scam. Forward spam texts to 7726, which spells SPAM. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Report carrier impersonation to the real carrier’s fraud department and to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service if the USPS name was used. These reports help investigators spot patterns and warn others.

The best defense is a simple rule. A delivery notice that pressures you to click, pay, or panic is not a delivery notice. It is a sales pitch for thieves. Slow down and verify through official channels. The few minutes you spend checking can save you hundreds of dollars and a great deal of personal hassle. When in doubt, assume the message is fake until you can prove otherwise through a source you trust.