Scam texts
Fake package delivery texts from "UPS," "FedEx," or "Amazon": how to tell
By Brennan Decker. Published . Last reviewed . Every fact links to its source.
The short answer
Don’t tap the link or call the number in a surprise delivery text. The FCC says to contact the delivery company or the seller directly, using a number or website you know is real (FCC).
UPS, FedEx, and Amazon all say they don’t ask for payment or personal information through texts like these (FCC, Amazon).
What a fake delivery text looks like
+63 917 555 01424
Today 9:34 AM
Hi, we are having issues releasing your package.1 Please update shipping directions: ups-redeliver-help[.]shop/a12 A $1.99 customs fee is due today.3
- A problem you didn't know about
- Not ups.com
- A fee to get your stuff
- Number from overseas
What each red circle means:
- A surprise problem. Amazon says texts about orders or deliveries you aren’t expecting are not from Amazon (Amazon).
- A link that isn’t the company’s site. Amazon says fake texts often have misspelled links or links that are just numbers (Amazon). FedEx has warned about texts pointing to web addresses ending in .shop (FedEx).
- A fee or a "customs" charge. The FCC says scammers now claim you owe a tariff before your order can be delivered (FCC).
- An unknown or overseas number. Amazon flags numbers you don’t recognize and numbers with a different country code (Amazon).
How to check your package safely
- Open the store’s site or app yourself and look at your order. Many retailers put a tracking link in your order confirmation email (FCC).
- Check the tracking number on the carrier’s real website. UPS says a real UPS contact can always give you a tracking number you can verify on ups.com (UPS).
- Amazon orders: go to Your Orders in the Amazon app or site. Amazon says it won’t ask you by text for personal information, payment details, or gift card codes, or to call a number (Amazon).
- Don’t call back numbers from the text or a door tag you didn’t expect. The FCC says some lead to costly international calls (FCC).
Looking for USPS texts? See fake USPS delivery texts.
What to do if you already responded
- If you paid a fee or entered a card number, call your bank or card company using the number on your card and ask about disputing the charge (FTC).
- If you typed in a password, change it, and turn on two-factor authentication (FTC).
- If you shared your Social Security number or bank details, go to IdentityTheft.gov for steps based on what you shared (FTC).
- If you only tapped the link, read what to do after clicking a scam link.
How to report it
- Your carrier: forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) (FTC).
- FedEx: forward suspicious messages to abuse@fedex.com (FedEx).
- Amazon: use Amazon’s report a scam page, or email reportascam@amazon.com if you don’t have an account (Amazon).
- FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Common questions
Does UPS text you about packages?
UPS may contact you, but it says it doesn’t ask for payment or personal information in unsolicited messages, and a real UPS contact can give you a tracking number to verify on its site (UPS).
Does Amazon text you to pay for delivery?
Amazon says it will never ask by text for payment details, personal information, or gift card codes (Amazon).
A text says my package is stuck in customs. Is it real?
Be careful. The FCC warns scammers send texts saying you owe a tariff before delivery. Check with the seller or the carrier directly (FCC).
This page is general information, not legal or financial advice. If money already left your account, call your bank or card company first.