Online shopping has made package deliveries part of everyday life—and scammers know it. By impersonating trusted delivery companies like USPS, FedEx, UPS, DHL, and Amazon, cybercriminals trick millions of people into clicking malicious links, sharing personal information, or paying fake delivery fees.

These scams often arrive through text messages, emails, or messaging apps and are designed to create urgency by claiming there's a problem with your package.

In this chapter, you'll learn how package delivery scams work, how to recognize the warning signs, and what to do if you've interacted with a fraudulent delivery notification. 

The Rise of Delivery Scams

Package delivery scams continue to increase as online shopping becomes more popular.

Recent reports show:

• Delivery-related phishing and text message ("smishing") attacks have surged dramatically.
• Postal and courier companies are among the most frequently impersonated brands.
• Holiday shopping seasons bring a sharp increase in fake delivery notifications.
• Many scams request small "redelivery" or "processing" fees simply to steal your payment information.

Because most people regularly expect packages, these scams are often surprisingly effective. 

Common Package Delivery Scams

1. Fake Delivery Failure Notifications

This is one of the most common delivery scams.

Scammers send messages claiming your package couldn't be delivered because of an incorrect address, a missed delivery, or a delivery exception.

Example

USPS: Your package could not be delivered.

Please update your delivery address to schedule redelivery.

The included link leads to a fake website designed to steal personal information or payment details.

Warning Signs

• You're not expecting a package.
• The message contains shortened or suspicious links.
• You're asked to update your address immediately.
• Personal information is requested before delivery.

How to Stay Safe

Instead of clicking the link, open the carrier's official website or mobile app and check your tracking information directly. 

2. Fake Redelivery Fee Scams

Scammers often claim you must pay a small fee before your package can be delivered.

Example

FedEx: Your package is awaiting delivery.

Pay $1.99 to schedule redelivery.

The small payment isn't the goal.

Instead, scammers want your:

• Credit card information.
• Billing address.
• Personal details.

Warning Signs

• Requests for payment through text message links.
• Very small "processing" or "redelivery" fees.
• Urgent payment deadlines.

How to Stay Safe

Legitimate delivery companies don't collect redelivery fees through unsolicited text messages or emails. 

3. Fake Customs and Import Fee Scams

International shoppers are frequently targeted with fake customs payment requests.

How the Scam Works

Scammers claim:

• Your package is being held by customs.
• Import taxes haven't been paid.
• Additional fees are required before delivery.

Victims are directed to fake payment pages designed to steal financial information.

How to Stay Safe

Verify customs charges through the retailer or the official courier—not through links included in unexpected messages. 

4. Fake Delivery Survey Scams

Scammers impersonate delivery companies by offering rewards for completing customer satisfaction surveys.

Example

Rate your recent delivery and receive a $100 gift card.

After completing the survey, victims are asked to pay a small "processing fee" or provide payment information.

The promised reward never arrives.

Warning Signs

• Large rewards for simple surveys.
• Requests for payment to claim a prize.
• Credit card information required before receiving the reward.

How to Stay Safe

Legitimate customer surveys don't require payment information to participate.

5. Fake Delivery Driver Scams

Some scammers pretend to be delivery drivers.

They may contact you by phone or text claiming they need:

• A gate code.
• Delivery instructions.
• Identity verification.
• Additional personal information.

The goal is often to gather information for future fraud or social engineering attacks.

How to Stay Safe

Verify unexpected delivery requests directly through the courier's official tracking system. 

Warning Signs of a Fake Delivery Message

Be cautious if a delivery notification includes any of these red flags:

• You're notified about a package you weren't expecting.
• The message contains shortened or suspicious links.
• You're asked to pay delivery or redelivery fees.
• The sender creates unnecessary urgency.
• Generic greetings such as "Dear Customer."
• Spelling or grammar mistakes.
• Email addresses or phone numbers that don't belong to the official courier.
• Requests for passwords, Social Security numbers, or banking information.
• Promises of gift cards or prizes.

If several warning signs appear together, the message is almost certainly fraudulent. 

How Legitimate Delivery Companies Communicate

Knowing what real delivery companies do—and don't do—can help you spot scams quickly.

Legitimate Carriers Will

• Provide tracking through their official websites and mobile apps.
• Allow you to verify shipments using valid tracking numbers.
• Send notifications only if you've signed up for tracking updates.
• Offer customer support through official contact channels.

Legitimate Carriers Will Never

• Ask for payment through unsolicited text messages.
• Request passwords or banking credentials.
• Ask for Social Security numbers to complete deliveries.
• Pressure you into making immediate payments.
• Send shortened URLs directing you to payment pages. 

How to Verify a Delivery Notification

Before clicking any delivery link, follow these simple steps.

Step 1: Don't Click the Link

Instead of opening the message, visit the carrier's website or app directly. 

Step 2: Check Your Orders

Ask yourself:

• Did I actually order something?
• Am I expecting a package?
• Does the retailer show this shipment? 

Step 3: Verify the Tracking Number

Compare the tracking number with the one provided by the retailer.

If the tracking number looks unusual or doesn't match your order, treat the message as suspicious. 

Step 4: Verify the Sender

Check:

• Email address
• Phone number
• Website domain

Scammers often imitate courier names while using unofficial domains. 

Step 5: Contact the Carrier Directly

If you're unsure, contact the courier using the phone number listed on its official website—not the contact information provided in the suspicious message. 

Real-World Scam Examples

Case Study 1: Fake Postal Delivery Notifications

During the holiday shopping season, millions of fake text messages claimed packages couldn't be delivered until recipients updated their address.

Victims who clicked the links were taken to fake websites requesting:

• Personal information.
• Credit card details.
• Identity verification documents.

Many later experienced identity theft and fraudulent charges.

Lesson Learned

Always verify delivery issues through the carrier's official website or app. 

Case Study 2: Fake Delivery Survey Rewards

Scammers impersonated major retailers by inviting customers to complete a delivery survey in exchange for gift cards.

After completing the survey, victims were asked to pay a small processing fee.

Instead of receiving a reward, scammers stole their payment information.

Lesson Learned

Legitimate surveys don't require payment information to receive rewards. 

Case Study 3: Fake Redelivery Fee Scam

Victims received messages claiming they had missed a delivery and needed to pay a small redelivery fee within 48 hours.

The payment page looked legitimate but was designed to capture credit card details.

After entering their information, victims experienced unauthorized transactions.

Lesson Learned

Legitimate delivery companies don't charge unexpected redelivery fees through text message links. 

How to Protect Yourself

Use Official Tracking Services

Whenever possible:

• Track shipments through the retailer.
• Use official courier apps.
• Enable delivery notifications directly with the carrier. 

Secure Your Accounts

• Use strong, unique passwords.
• Enable multi-factor authentication.
• Monitor delivery account activity.
• Keep your contact information up to date. 

Build Safe Habits

• Never click links in unexpected delivery messages.
• Type carrier websites directly into your browser.
• Be especially cautious during holiday shopping seasons.
• Report suspicious delivery messages. 

What to Do If You Fall for a Delivery Scam

If you've interacted with a fake delivery notification, act quickly.

Immediately

• Contact your bank if payment information was entered.
• Lock or replace affected payment cards.
• Change passwords for compromised accounts.
• Enable multi-factor authentication.
• Save screenshots of the scam. 

Continue Monitoring

For the next several weeks:

• Review bank and credit card statements.
• Watch your credit reports for suspicious activity.
• Monitor email accounts for unusual login attempts.
• Report identity theft immediately if necessary. 

Key Takeaways

• Delivery scams continue to grow alongside online shopping.
• Never click links in unexpected package notifications.
• Verify deliveries through official carrier websites and apps.
• Legitimate delivery companies don't request payment through unsolicited text messages.
• Watch for urgency, shortened URLs, and unexpected fees.
• Act quickly if you've shared personal or payment information.

Remember

Package delivery scams work because almost everyone expects a shipment at some point. Before clicking any delivery notification, take a moment to verify it through the courier's official website or mobile app. A few extra seconds of caution can protect your personal information, your finances, and your identity. 

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