Almost everyone gets packages these days, and that is exactly what makes package delivery scams so effective. A text or email claiming your parcel is stuck, underpaid, or needs confirmation feels plausible because it could be real. Here is how to spot them and what to do if you clicked the link.
Why package delivery scams are everywhere
Delivery scams target a habit almost everyone shares: ordering online. Because you receive packages regularly, a message about one does not feel suspicious. Scammers do not need to know if you are expecting a delivery. They send thousands of messages and wait for the people who are waiting on a real parcel, and they add a short deadline so you react before you think.
How a typical delivery scam works
The classic pattern is simple. You receive a text or email saying something like:
- Your package is held at a depot and you must pay a re-delivery fee.
- Your delivery failed and you need to confirm your address.
- Your shipment has an unpaid customs charge with a 24 hour deadline.
- Your delivery could not be completed and you need to reschedule.
Each message pushes you toward a link. It leads to a fake carrier website that looks like the real thing, where you are asked to pay a small fee with your card. Once the scammer has those details, the fake fee is the least of your problems.
Red flags to look for
Legitimate delivery messages are rarely this urgent or vague. Watch for these warning signs:
- An unknown sender. Real carriers update you through official numbers or accounts, not random mobile numbers.
- A request for a fee. Carriers do not collect re-delivery or customs charges through links in text messages.
- A short deadline. Pressure to act within hours is a classic scammer tactic.
- A link instead of a tracking number. Legitimate updates give you a tracking code to check on the official site.
- Poor spelling or odd wording. Typos are common in mass scam messages.
How real carriers contact you, and how they do not
Real carriers send tracking updates through channels you choose, such as their app or an email tied to your order. They give you a tracking number and point you to their own website to check the status, not a text demanding a fee.
If a message claims to be from a carrier but the sender does not match, or the link goes anywhere other than the official domain, treat it as a scam. When in doubt, open the carrier's site yourself.
What to do when you get a suspicious delivery message
- Do not click the link. Clicking is what the scammer wants. It may load a fake page or install unwanted software.
- Check the tracking number. If you are expecting a package, look it up on the real carrier site or app.
- Delete the message. Do not reply or call any number listed in it.
- Report it. Forward suspicious texts to your carrier and report the scam to the FTC at consumer.ftc.gov and to the FBI at ic3.gov.
How these scams also harvest your card details
The fake fee is a doorway. It stays small so you are willing to pay, and paying means entering your full card number, expiry date, and security code on the fake site. That is everything needed for larger purchases or to sell.
Some versions claim the first payment failed and ask you to enter your details again or try a second card. The same trick appears in smishing text scams aimed at bank customers and in fake payment emails that mimic payment services.
You entered your card details. What now?
If you already clicked the link and entered your card information, act quickly:
- Call your bank or card issuer and tell them your card may be compromised. Ask them to block it and issue a replacement.
- Check recent transactions for charges you did not make, including small test amounts scammers use to confirm a card works.
- Report the scam to the FTC at consumer.ftc.gov and file a complaint at ic3.gov.
- Watch your statements for the next few months, since stolen card details can be reused later.
Scammers often test a card immediately, so check your account today.
Delivery scams and online purchases
Delivery scams also piggyback on your other purchases. If you recently bought something on a marketplace, a fake shipping alert looks even more believable. Confirm tracking on the official carrier site and never pay a fee through a message link. See our guide to auction scams for related buying and selling risks.
FAQ
What is a package delivery scam? A package delivery scam is a fake text message or email that claims a delivery is stuck, underpaid, or needs confirmation, and pushes you to click a link leading to a fake carrier site designed to steal your card details.
Should I pay a delivery fee from a text message? No. Legitimate carriers do not collect re-delivery or customs fees through links in text messages. Check the tracking number on the official carrier site and contact the carrier directly if a fee is real.
What if I clicked the link but did not enter any details? Close the page and enter nothing. If you downloaded anything, scan your device for unwanted software. Watch for follow-up messages.
What should I do if I already gave my card details to a scammer? Call your bank or card issuer immediately to block the card and report unauthorized charges. Then report the scam to the FTC at consumer.ftc.gov and to the FBI at ic3.gov.
Sources and further reading
---Written by Hassan Arshad, founder of UsefulOrbit. Last updated August 31, 2026.