The Fake Missed Package Notice That Could Empty Your Bank Account

You are expecting a delivery. Maybe it’s a birthday gift for your granddaughter, a new pair of walking shoes, or that book you ordered last week. Then your phone buzzes with a text message that looks like it came from the United States Postal Service, FedEx, or UPS. It says something like “We were unable to deliver your package. Please update your delivery preferences here.” The link looks official, maybe containing words like “usps.com” or “fedex-tracking.” Your first instinct is to tap it, because who wants to miss a package? That split-second decision is exactly what scammers are counting on, and it could cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

This type of fraud is called a missed package notification scam, and it is one of the most common online cons targeting middle‑class Americans right now. The scam relies on urgency and the fact that so many of us shop online. According to the Federal Trade Commission, reports of such phishing attempts have surged in recent years, especially around the holidays. The scammers are not amateurs. They craft messages that look nearly identical to the real delivery alerts you might receive from legitimate carriers. They use logos, official‑sounding language, and fake tracking numbers. The goal is not to actually deliver anything. The goal is to steal your personal information or your money.

Here is how it typically works. You receive a text message or an email. The subject line might say “Delivery Exception” or “Action Required: Package Held at Facility.” The message tells you that a package could not be delivered because of an incorrect address, unpaid postage, or a missing apartment number. To resolve the issue, you are instructed to click a link. That link does not go to the real carrier’s website. Instead, it takes you to a carefully designed look‑alike page. On that page, you are asked to enter your full name, address, phone number, and sometimes your credit card number to pay a small “redelivery fee” of two or three dollars. The scammers are not interested in that fee. They want your credit card details so they can drain your account or sell your information on the dark web. In more sophisticated versions, the fake page might ask for your Social Security number or your bank account login, claiming it is needed to verify your identity.

The red flags are there, but they are easy to miss when you are in a hurry. Look for the obvious signs. Legitimate delivery notifications always address you by name, not with a generic “Dear Customer” or “Valued User.” The sender’s phone number or email address often looks strange. The real USPS uses short codes like “USPS” or “22222,” but scammers use random phone numbers or addresses that end in “.xyz” or “.top.” The language in the message may contain small typos, awkward phrasing, or odd punctuation. And most importantly, no legitimate carrier will ask you to click a link to pay a small fee for redelivery. Carriers either leave a real door tag or let you reschedule on their official app or website without charging a fee.

If you have already clicked the link and entered any information, do not panic, but act quickly. First, change the passwords on your email, banking, and any other accounts that use the same credentials. If you entered your credit card number, call your bank or credit card company immediately. Tell them you believe your card was compromised and ask them to issue a new one. Monitor your accounts for unauthorized transactions over the next several weeks. Scammers often test the card with a tiny charge, then run larger amounts later. You should also place a fraud alert on your credit report by contacting one of the three major credit bureaus. This makes it harder for scammers to open new accounts in your name. Finally, report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps authorities spot patterns and shut down these operations.

What about text messages that contain a phone number instead of a link? Some scammers will ask you to call a toll‑free number to “arrange delivery.” When you call, a fake customer service agent will ask for your tracking number and then your credit card to “confirm your identity.” Do not call. Do not respond. Delete the message and block the sender.

Prevention is your best defense. Set your spam filter to high on your phone and email. Most smartphone operating systems allow you to filter messages from unknown senders. If you are expecting a package, go directly to the carrier’s official website or app and enter the tracking number you already have. Do not use the link from the text. If you receive a delivery notice for something you did not order, it is almost certainly a scam. Scammers rely on the fact that Americans receive so many packages that we assume any notification must be real. That assumption is exactly what they exploit.

Remember, the real USPS, FedEx, UPS, and Amazon will never text you out of the blue asking for personal information or payment. If a delivery cannot be completed, they leave a physical note on your door, or they send a notification through their official app that you access by logging in. They do not demand immediate action via a text link. Be skeptical. Take an extra ten seconds to examine the message. That moment of caution is all it takes to protect your hard‑earned money and your identity.