$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
FedEx Ground tracking scam
A phishing email or text impersonates FedEx Ground with a fake tracking number, directing victims to a lookalike tracking page that harvests personal 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 emails with a fake FedEx Ground tracking number and a link to check delivery status.
2
The link goes to a replica tracking page that asks for personal details to view the shipment status.
3
Collected information is used for identity theft or account takeover attacks.
What to do first
Always track packages by going directly to fedex.com and entering the number manually.
Related terms
fake FedEx Ground trackingFedEx Ground phishingFedEx Ground email scamPackage delivery scamsFedExSurgingOnline shoppersE-commerce sellersAdultsCreators and online sellersOnline shoppersUnited StatesCanadafake FedEx Ground trackingFedEx Ground phishing
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Steven, 34, a online shoppers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate package delivery scams situation while using FedEx. Scammers send emails with a fake FedEx Ground tracking number and a link to check delivery status.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The link goes to a replica tracking page that asks for personal details to view the shipment status.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Collected information is used for identity theft or account takeover attacks.
The outcome
Steven realized something was wrong when tracking number does not work when entered directly on fedex.com. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Always track packages by going directly to fedex.com and entering the number manually. Steven's experience shows why tracking number does not work when entered directly on fedex.com and email provides a tracking link to a non-fedex website are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Tracking number does not work when entered directly on fedex.com
- Email provides a tracking link to a non-FedEx website
- Tracking page asks for personal information beyond what FedEx requires
- 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
- ✓Always track packages by going directly to fedex.com and entering the number manually.
- ✓Report suspicious tracking emails to [email protected].
- ✓If you entered information on a fake page, monitor your credit reports and consider a fraud alert.
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.
- Phishing campaigns using fake tracking pages for major carriers have been consistently documented by cybersecurity researchers as a top social engineering tactic.
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.
- ✓Always track packages by going directly to fedex.com and entering the number manually.
- ✓Report suspicious tracking emails to [email protected].
- ✓If you entered information on a fake page, monitor your credit reports and consider a fraud alert.
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.
Phishing campaigns using fake tracking pages for major carriers have been consistently documented by cybersecurity researchers as a top social engineering tactic.
FBI IC3 2024
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, E-commerce sellers, Adults
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada
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
- Phishing campaigns using fake tracking pages for major carriers have been consistently documented by cybersecurity researchers as a top social engineering tactic.
Source notes
- FBI IC3 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about fedex ground tracking scam
How does the fedex ground tracking scam work?+
Scammers send emails with a fake FedEx Ground tracking number and a link to check delivery status. The link goes to a replica tracking page that asks for personal details to view the shipment status. Collected information is used for identity theft or account takeover attacks.
What are the warning signs of fedex ground tracking scam?+
Tracking number does not work when entered directly on fedex.com Email provides a tracking link to a non-FedEx website Tracking page asks for personal information beyond what FedEx requires
What should I do if I encounter fedex ground tracking scam?+
Always track packages by going directly to fedex.com and entering the number manually. Report suspicious tracking emails to [email protected]. If you entered information on a fake page, monitor your credit reports and consider a fraud alert.
Who is most at risk for fedex ground tracking scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online shoppers, E-commerce sellers, Adults. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada and typically appears on FedEx.
Is fedex ground tracking scam getting worse?+
FedEx Ground tracking scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
Related scams
Similar scams to watch out for
Extension fraud
↑ 131%Malicious browser extension data harvest scam
A seemingly useful browser extension captures browsing activity, credentials, or payment behavior after a short period of benign use.
What to do first
Review permissions before installing.
Targets
Remote workers
Seen in
Global
Smishing
↑ 100%Package redelivery text scam
A delivery text says a parcel cannot be delivered until you confirm address details and pay a small redelivery fee.
What to do first
Open the courier site manually and check tracking there.
Targets
Online shoppers
Seen in
Global
Government impersonation
↑ 100%Customs seized package scam
A message claims a package was seized by customs and needs payment, identity verification, or legal response to avoid charges.
What to do first
Verify any customs issue through the courier or customs agency directly.
Targets
Online shoppers
Seen in
Global
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.