Delivery & shipping
Is the USPS delivery text a scam?
Quick answer
Almost certainly yes. The real US Postal Service never sends unsolicited texts asking you to pay a fee, confirm an address, or click a link to redeliver a package. If you get one of these texts, it is a phishing scam — sometimes called 'smishing.' Delete it and do not tap the link.
Red flags to look for
- Text comes from a random 10-digit number or international code (real USPS uses short codes only when you've signed up)
- Link points to a domain that isn't usps.com — common fakes: usps-redelivery.com, uspstracking.net, usps-pay.com
- Asks you to pay a small fee (usually $1.99 – $3.95) to release a package
- Creates urgency — 'within 12 hours,' 'final notice,' 'package will be returned'
- You don't actually have a package coming, or the tracking number doesn't match any real USPS format
Real examples
Text message
USPS: Your package has been held due to an incomplete address. Confirm here within 12 hours or it will be returned: https://usps-redelivery.info/track
Likely Scam
Real USPS domain is usps.com — never .info or hyphenated lookalikes. USPS does not hold packages over address confirmation by SMS.
Text message
[USPS] Hi, our courier was unable to deliver your parcel. Please pay the redelivery fee of $1.99 at: uspstrack-fee.com
Likely Scam
USPS does not charge redelivery fees by text. The domain is fake. The $1.99 charge exists to capture your card details — the real loss can be thousands.
What to do
- Do not tap the link. Even opening it can fingerprint your device.
- Do not reply 'STOP' — that confirms the number is active.
- If you have a real package coming, go to usps.com directly and paste the tracking number there.
- Report the text: forward it to 7726 (SPAM) — free on all major US carriers.
- Delete the message. Block the number.
- If you already tapped the link and entered card details, call your bank immediately to freeze the card.
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Why scammers use this approach
Package delivery scams are the single most-reported text scam in the United States. Scammers send them in waves of millions because the timing is plausible — almost everyone is expecting a package from somewhere. The small fake fee ($1.99) makes the request feel low-risk to the victim, but the real goal is harvesting card numbers, names, and addresses for resale or larger fraud.
Frequently asked questions
Does USPS ever text customers?
Only if you've explicitly signed up for Informed Delivery alerts. Even then, USPS never asks for payment, personal information, or a tap-through to a non-usps.com domain by text.
What if the tracking number looks real?
Scammers often paste random sequences that look like USPS tracking numbers. The only way to verify is to go to usps.com directly and search the number there — never use the link in the text.
I already entered my address. Am I in danger?
Your address alone is low-risk but combined with other data it can fuel future targeted scams. If you also entered card details or your SSN, call your bank and freeze your credit immediately.