$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
FedEx delivery fee scam
A text or email claiming to be from FedEx states that a package requires a small delivery or customs fee and directs you to a fake payment page to steal your credit card information.
“package delivery scam text”
↓ 31%Key indicators
Usually targetsOnline shoppers
Often hitsCreators and online sellers
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 texts or emails claiming FedEx is holding your package pending a small fee.
2
The link leads to a convincing FedEx-branded payment page that captures your full credit card details.
3
The stolen card information is used for larger unauthorized purchases.
What to do first
Never pay delivery fees through links in text messages — check fedex.com directly with your tracking number.
Related terms
FedEx fee text scamfake FedEx customs chargeFedEx payment phishingPackage delivery scamsSMSSurgingOnline shoppersHoliday shoppersCreators and online sellersOnline shoppersUnited StatesCanadaAustraliaFedEx fee text scamfake FedEx customs charge
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Paul, 34, a online shoppers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate package delivery scams situation while using SMS. Scammers send texts or emails claiming FedEx is holding your package pending a small fee.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The link leads to a convincing FedEx-branded payment page that captures your full credit card details.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The stolen card information is used for larger unauthorized purchases.
The outcome
Paul realized something was wrong when message requests a small payment — typically under 5 usd — to release a package. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Never pay delivery fees through links in text messages — check fedex.com directly with your tracking number. Paul's experience shows why message requests a small payment — typically under 5 usd — to release a package and link in the message does not go to fedex.com are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Message requests a small payment — typically under 5 USD — to release a package
- Link in the message does not go to fedex.com
- You are not expecting a FedEx delivery
- 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
- ✓Never pay delivery fees through links in text messages — check fedex.com directly with your tracking number.
- ✓Report suspicious FedEx messages by forwarding them to [email protected].
- ✓If you entered payment information, contact your card issuer immediately to block the card.
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.
- ✓Save the full chat or call log before blocking the sender so the reporting path still has the original context.
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.
- FedEx states on its official site that it does not send unsolicited texts or emails requesting payment or personal information for packages in transit.
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.
- ✓Tell close contacts if a phone or text scam used your identity, so scammers cannot reuse the same story against people around you.
- ✓Never pay delivery fees through links in text messages — check fedex.com directly with your tracking number.
- ✓Report suspicious FedEx messages by forwarding them to [email protected].
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.
FedEx states on its official site that it does not send unsolicited texts or emails requesting payment or personal information for packages in transit.
BBB Scam Tracker 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, Holiday shoppers
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada, Australia
Primary channel
SMS — 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
- FedEx states on its official site that it does not send unsolicited texts or emails requesting payment or personal information for packages in transit.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about fedex delivery fee scam
How does the fedex delivery fee scam work?+
Scammers send texts or emails claiming FedEx is holding your package pending a small fee. The link leads to a convincing FedEx-branded payment page that captures your full credit card details. The stolen card information is used for larger unauthorized purchases.
What are the warning signs of fedex delivery fee scam?+
Message requests a small payment — typically under 5 USD — to release a package Link in the message does not go to fedex.com You are not expecting a FedEx delivery
What should I do if I encounter fedex delivery fee scam?+
Never pay delivery fees through links in text messages — check fedex.com directly with your tracking number. Report suspicious FedEx messages by forwarding them to [email protected]. If you entered payment information, contact your card issuer immediately to block the card.
Who is most at risk for fedex delivery fee scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online shoppers, Holiday shoppers. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada, Australia and typically appears on SMS.
Is fedex delivery fee scam getting worse?+
FedEx delivery fee scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, CA, AU. 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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