Texts that claim to be USPS, FedEx, or DHL about a package problem
Federal Trade CommissionNationwide
On April 23, 2025, the FTC warned that text messages about a U.S. Postal Service delivery are often from scammers, and that the same approach is used with FedEx and DHL. The text may confirm an order, say a package is out for delivery, or claim there is unpaid postage, a missed delivery, or a shipping preference to update. It then tells you to click a link.
The link goes to a look-alike site that asks for personal or financial information. If you pay, the FTC says the money and the card number, name, address, and anything else you entered go to the sender of the text, not to the carrier.
Red flags
- A text about a USPS, FedEx, or DHL package includes a link to fix postage, a missed delivery, or shipping preferences.
- You do not have an order that matches the message.
- The page asks for a card number, your address, or other personal details.
- The only way to track the package is the link in the text.
How to protect yourself
- Do not tap the link and do not enter information from the text.
- If you are expecting a package, open the retailer account where you placed the order and read the tracking there.
- Use your phone's tools to filter texts from unknown senders.
- Report the message in your messaging app, or forward it to 7726, then delete it.
If you are hit
- If you entered a card number, call the bank or card issuer using the number on the card and dispute charges you do not recognize.
- Report the text at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- If the link asked for more than a card number, review recovery steps at identitytheft.gov
Questions
Is Texts that claim to be USPS, FedEx, or DHL about a package problem a scam?
On April 23, 2025, the FTC warned that text messages about a U.S. Postal Service delivery are often from scammers, and that the same approach is used with FedEx and DHL. The text may confirm an order, say a package is out for delivery, or claim there is unpaid postage, a missed delivery, or a shipping preference to update. It then tells you to click a link. This page summarizes a public warning from Federal Trade Commission dated April 23, 2025. The linked source is the record.
What should I do if I fell for it?
If you entered a card number, call the bank or card issuer using the number on the card and dispute charges you do not recognize. Report the text at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov. If the link asked for more than a card number, review recovery steps at https://www.identitytheft.gov.
Sources
- Think that text message is from USPS? It could be a scamFTC Consumer Advice
This summary is informational and not legal advice. If it and the linked source disagree, follow the source.
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