Lost Package and Delivery Scams
Americans lost $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, according to the FTC.
Quick Answer
Lost package and delivery scams use fake text messages and emails about shipping issues to steal personal and financial information, with consumers reporting $470 million in losses to text-based scams in 2024 alone, where fake package alerts were the most common lure (FTC 2025).
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How It Works
1
A scammer sends an unsolicited text message (smishing) or email claiming to be from a major delivery service like the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, or UPS. The message alerts the target that there is a problem with a package delivery, such as an incomplete address or an unpaid fee.
2
The message contains a link and creates a sense of urgency, warning that the package will be returned to the sender if the issue is not resolved immediately. The link directs the victim to a fraudulent website designed to look exactly like the official carrier's site.
3
On the fake website, the victim is prompted to enter personal information, such as their full name, address, and phone number. The site then asks for a small payment, often described as a 'redelivery fee' or 'insurance charge,' requiring the victim to enter their credit or debit card number, expiration date, and CVV code.
4
Once the financial information is submitted, the scammer captures it for fraudulent purchases or identity theft. The victim never receives a package, and the small fee paid is lost, but the primary damage comes from the compromised financial and personal data.
Red Flags
- You receive an unexpected text or email about a package delivery issue from a random phone number or a non-corporate email address.
- The message contains spelling or grammatical errors and has an urgent tone.
- The tracking number provided is generic or does not work on the official carrier's website.
- The link in the message does not go to the official domain (e.g., usps.com, fedex.com, ups.com).
- A request is made for a small payment for 'redelivery,' 'customs,' or 'insurance' fees.
- The website asks for excessive personal information beyond what is needed for shipping.
- The message claims your package is lost and asks you to click a link to file an insurance claim.
What to Do If Targeted
- Do not click on any links or download any attachments from suspicious delivery notifications.
- If you are expecting a package, go directly to the carrier's official website and enter your tracking number manually to check its status.
- Never enter personal or financial information on a website that you accessed from an unsolicited message.
- Delete the fraudulent text message or email immediately.
- If you already entered your payment information, contact your bank or credit card issuer to report the fraud, cancel your card, and dispute the charges.
- Report the fraudulent message to the delivery carrier it was impersonating and to federal authorities.
How to Report It
- FTC — File a fraud report with the Federal Trade Commission to help with investigations and consumer protection.
- FBI IC3 — Report internet-facilitated crime, including phishing and non-delivery scams, to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
- FCC — File a complaint about phone scams, robocalls, or unwanted calls with the Federal Communications Commission.
- AARP Fraud Helpline — Call 877-908-3360 for free support from trained fraud specialists. Available to anyone, not just AARP members.
Key Statistics
- Consumers reported losing $470 million to scams that originated with a text message in 2024, with fake package delivery alerts being the most commonly reported type of text scam. — FTC 2025
- Smishing, or text-based phishing, has increased every year since 2021, and often involves scammers impersonating delivery services. — BBB 2024
- The U.S. Postal Service was the organization most frequently impersonated by scammers in 2023. — BBB 2023 Risk Report
- In one major case, two individuals defrauded the U.S. Postal Service of $2.3 million by filing nearly 18,000 fraudulent insurance claims for lost or damaged packages. — USPS OIG 2025
- Online shopping and non-delivery issues were the second most commonly reported type of fraud to the FTC in 2024. — FTC 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
A lost package insurance scam is a type of phishing attack where criminals send fake notifications about a shipping problem via text or email. These messages trick victims into clicking a link to a fraudulent website where they are prompted to enter personal and credit card information under the guise of paying a redelivery or insurance fee. The Better Business Bureau reports that the U.S. Postal Service was the most impersonated organization in these scams in 2023.
Scammers obtain phone numbers through various means, including purchasing them from illegal data brokers who have compiled them from data breaches of other companies. They also use software that automatically generates and sends messages to thousands of random phone numbers at once, hoping to find active recipients who will fall for the scam.
Yes, legitimate carriers like USPS, FedEx, and UPS offer text message notifications if you sign up for them. However, a real notification will never ask you to click a link to enter personal or payment information to resolve a delivery. Official messages will typically provide tracking updates and direct you to their official website, which you should navigate to yourself.
If you paid a fraudulent fee, you must act quickly. Immediately contact your bank or credit card company to report the unauthorized transaction, cancel the compromised card, and request a new one. You should also monitor your bank statements and credit reports for any further suspicious activity and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file.
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