$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
FedEx delivery exception notification scam
A phishing message claims a delivery exception has occurred on your FedEx shipment, urging you to click a link to resolve the issue — leading to a fake site that steals credentials or installs malware.
“package delivery scam text”
↓ 31%Key indicators
Usually targetsOnline shoppers
Often hitsSmall business owners
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$240
median reported loss
Typical range$24 – $2.4K
Recovery rate~20%
Annual reports160,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers send emails or texts with a delivery exception notice that mimics legitimate FedEx alerts.
2
The link leads to a phishing page requesting FedEx login credentials or personal information.
3
Some variants download malware disguised as a delivery details document.
What to do first
Check for legitimate delivery exceptions by logging in to fedex.com directly.
Related terms
FedEx exception alert scamFedEx delivery issue phishingfake FedEx exception noticePackage delivery scamsFedExSurgingOnline shoppersSmall business ownersAdultsSmall business ownersCreators and online sellersOnline shoppersUnited StatesCanadaUnited KingdomFedEx exception alert scamFedEx delivery issue phishing
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Kenji, 34, a online shoppers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate package delivery scams situation while using FedEx. Scammers send emails or texts with a delivery exception notice that mimics legitimate FedEx alerts.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The link leads to a phishing page requesting FedEx login credentials or personal information.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Some variants download malware disguised as a delivery details document.
The outcome
Kenji realized something was wrong when delivery exception alert for a tracking number you do not recognize. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Check for legitimate delivery exceptions by logging in to fedex.com directly. Kenji's experience shows why delivery exception alert for a tracking number you do not recognize and link directs to a non-fedex url are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Delivery exception alert for a tracking number you do not recognize
- Link directs to a non-FedEx URL
- Urgency demanding immediate action to prevent package loss
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Check for legitimate delivery exceptions by logging in to fedex.com directly.
- ✓Do not click on exception notification links from unknown sources.
- ✓Report to [email protected] and the FTC.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- Delivery exception phishing is among the most effective social engineering tactics because it exploits legitimate anxiety about real-time package tracking, as documented by multiple cybersecurity firms.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Check for legitimate delivery exceptions by logging in to fedex.com directly.
- ✓Do not click on exception notification links from unknown sources.
- ✓Report to [email protected] and the FTC.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
Delivery exception phishing is among the most effective social engineering tactics because it exploits legitimate anxiety about real-time package tracking, as documented by multiple cybersecurity firms.
FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Online shoppers, Small business owners, Adults
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada, United Kingdom
Primary channel
FedEx — Package delivery scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Online shoppers are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- Delivery exception phishing is among the most effective social engineering tactics because it exploits legitimate anxiety about real-time package tracking, as documented by multiple cybersecurity firms.
Source notes
- FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about fedex delivery exception notification scam
How does the fedex delivery exception notification scam work?+
Scammers send emails or texts with a delivery exception notice that mimics legitimate FedEx alerts. The link leads to a phishing page requesting FedEx login credentials or personal information. Some variants download malware disguised as a delivery details document.
What are the warning signs of fedex delivery exception notification scam?+
Delivery exception alert for a tracking number you do not recognize Link directs to a non-FedEx URL Urgency demanding immediate action to prevent package loss
What should I do if I encounter fedex delivery exception notification scam?+
Check for legitimate delivery exceptions by logging in to fedex.com directly. Do not click on exception notification links from unknown sources. Report to [email protected] and the FTC.
Who is most at risk for fedex delivery exception notification scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online shoppers, Small business owners, Adults. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada, United Kingdom and typically appears on FedEx.
Is fedex delivery exception notification scam getting worse?+
FedEx delivery exception notification scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, CA, UK. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.
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