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Imagine waiting for an online order when a text suddenly arrives saying, “Your package cannot be delivered because your address is incomplete.” The message includes a tracking number and a link asking you to update your information. It may look convincing, but this is a common package delivery text scam, also known as smishing (SMS phishing).
These messages may impersonate legitimate organizations such as the United States Postal Service (USPS), UPS, FedEx, DHL, Royal Mail, Canada Post, Australia Post, or Amazon Logistics. The companies themselves are legitimate. The problem is that scammers use their names and branding to make fraudulent messages appear genuine.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says fake package delivery problems were the most commonly reported type of text scam. Consumers reported millions in losses from text scams overall that year.
So, is the “Your Package Cannot Be Delivered” text a scam or legitimate?
If an unexpected text asks you to click a link, correct your address, or pay a small delivery fee, treat it as suspicious and verify the package independently.
The scam usually begins with an unsolicited text claiming there is a problem with your delivery.
It may say:
The message then provides a link. That link can lead to a fake website designed to look like an official tracking or delivery page. The website may ask for your name, address, phone number, email address, login information, or payment card details.
This type of fraud is called smishing and criminals use deceptive texts to obtain personal and financial information.
Scammers continuously change the wording, but common versions include:
1st example of this scam says:
"USPS: Tracking Number: US9514961195221 We're sorry to let you know that your package could not be delivered. To reschedule a delivery please visit [link removed for safety]"
2nd example of this scam says:
"UPS Alert: Your package is on hold because your address is missing a apartment number. Please update it here within 24 hours: [link removed for safety]"
3rd example of this scam says:
"USPS Notice: Delivery attempted today but failed. To schedule a new delivery date, click [link removed for safety] and pay the $1.99 handling fee."
4th example of this scam says:
"USPS: Your package has arrived at the warehouse but cannot be delivered due to incomplete address information. Please confirm your address here: [link removed for safety]"
5th example of this scam says:
"Final notice: Your package will be returned today unless you update your shipping information."
6th example of this scam says:
"USPS Notice: Delivery attempted today but failed. Schedule a new delivery date by clicking [link removed for safety] and paying the $1.99 handling fee."
Remember, USPS is not the scam here. The fraudulent messages are impersonating USPS. The wording may change, but the basic trick remains the same.
USPS has specifically warned about messages using almost identical wording, including claims that a package has arrived at a warehouse but cannot be delivered because of incomplete address information.
The scammers rely on two things: timing and urgency. Millions of people regularly order products online. Therefore, there is a good chance that a person receiving a random delivery text is actually waiting for a package.
The message creates concern by saying something has gone wrong.
For example:
"Your package is on hold because your address is missing an apartment number. Update your information within 24 hours."
The recipient may click the link because they do not want their package returned.
Stealing Personal Information:
The fake website may ask you to “update”:
This information can potentially be used for identity theft, phishing, or other fraudulent activity.
Stealing Financial Information:
The website may then introduce a small payment.
For example:
"Pay a $1.99 redelivery fee to reschedule your delivery."
The amount may be only $1.50, $1.99, or $3, making it seem harmless. But the real objective may be to obtain your credit or debit card number.
The scam is not limited to a simple clickable link.
The "Friendly Driver" Trick: You receive a casual text pretending to be a real person: "Hi, I'm Tony, your FedEx driver. I'm lost and looking for your house. Call me back at this number." Calling back leads to high-fee phone lines or aggressive identity fishing.
The PDF Attachment Trap: Instead of a link, the text includes a PDF file attachment. Opening it reveals a "failed delivery receipt" with a malicious button hidden inside the document.
Physical Sticky Notes: Some sophisticated scammers bring the scam offline by leaving a fake "Missed Delivery" note on your actual front door, directing you to a scam hotline or fraudulent web link.
Real delivery notifications follow strict rules. You can quickly unmask a scammer by comparing their behavior to legitimate carriers:
Fraudulent Text Behavior:
Legitimate Carrier Behavior:
This is an important point. A real package can have a genuine delivery problem. That does not mean the text you received is legitimate.
Do not use the link provided in the message. Instead:
For USPS deliveries, use the official USPS tracking service rather than the link supplied in a suspicious text.
USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Royal Mail, Canada Post, Australia Post, and other delivery companies are legitimate organizations. Scammers simply impersonate these companies in fraudulent messages. Therefore, seeing a familiar company name does not prove that the message actually came from that company.
The "Your Package Cannot Be Delivered" text is a well known smishing scam format, particularly when the message arrives unexpectedly and asks you to click a link, update an address, or pay a small fee. The legitimate carrier mentioned in the message may have nothing to do with it.
The safest rule is simple: Do not click the link in an unexpected delivery text. Verify the package directly through the carrier's official website, app, or the retailer where you placed the order.
Even a tracking number, familiar company name, professional looking website, or tiny payment request can be part of the deception. When in doubt, stop, verify independently, and never provide personal or financial information through a suspicious delivery message.
The information in this article is provided for educational and awareness purposes. Company names, phone numbers, sender names, and other details referenced may have been impersonated, spoofed, or otherwise misused by scammers. Their appearance in this article does not necessarily identify the legitimate company, owner of a phone number or account as being involved in fraudulent activity.
This article has been written by a Scam Fighter Contributor, De-Reviews.com Team. If you believe the article above contains inaccuracies or needs to include relevant information, please contact ScamAdviser.com using this form.
De-Reviews.com Team is a group of scam researchers, editors, and online safety advocates dedicated to exposing online fraud and helping consumers stay safe online. The team has been investigating scams, fraudulent websites, phishing campaigns, and other online threats since 2014. Read the Full Author Profile.
