$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
FedEx package return notification scam
An email claims your FedEx package is being returned to sender due to failed delivery and asks you to click a link to prevent the return, leading to a phishing page or malware download.
“package delivery scam text”
↓ 31%Key indicators
Usually targetsOnline shoppers
Often hitsCreators and online sellers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$160
median reported loss
Typical range$16 – $1.6K
Recovery rate~20%
Annual reports160,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers send emails claiming a FedEx package is being returned to the sender after multiple failed delivery attempts.
2
The email contains a link to prevent the return, which leads to a fake FedEx login page.
3
Credentials are captured and used to access the victim's FedEx account or other services using the same password.
What to do first
Log in to fedex.com directly to check your delivery status — do not use links from emails.
Related terms
FedEx return to sender scamFedEx package return phishingFedEx failed delivery returnPackage delivery scamsFedExSurgingOnline shoppersAdultsCreators and online sellersOnline shoppersUnited StatesCanadaFedEx return to sender scamFedEx package return phishing
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Jason, 34, a online shoppers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate package delivery scams situation while using FedEx. Scammers send emails claiming a FedEx package is being returned to the sender after multiple failed delivery attempts.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The email contains a link to prevent the return, which leads to a fake FedEx login page.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Credentials are captured and used to access the victim's FedEx account or other services using the same password.
The outcome
Jason realized something was wrong when email claims a package is being returned but you have no pending deliveries. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Log in to fedex.com directly to check your delivery status — do not use links from emails. Jason's experience shows why email claims a package is being returned but you have no pending deliveries and link asks for login credentials to prevent the return are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Email claims a package is being returned but you have no pending deliveries
- Link asks for login credentials to prevent the return
- Sender email does not match FedEx official domains
- 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
- ✓Log in to fedex.com directly to check your delivery status — do not use links from emails.
- ✓If you have no pending deliveries, ignore the email entirely.
- ✓Report to [email protected].
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.
- FedEx customer security advisories have repeatedly warned about phishing emails using return-to-sender lures to harvest account credentials.
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.
- ✓Log in to fedex.com directly to check your delivery status — do not use links from emails.
- ✓If you have no pending deliveries, ignore the email entirely.
- ✓Report 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 customer security advisories have repeatedly warned about phishing emails using return-to-sender lures to harvest account credentials.
OpenScam research
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, 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
- FedEx customer security advisories have repeatedly warned about phishing emails using return-to-sender lures to harvest account credentials.
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about fedex package return notification scam
How does the fedex package return notification scam work?+
Scammers send emails claiming a FedEx package is being returned to the sender after multiple failed delivery attempts. The email contains a link to prevent the return, which leads to a fake FedEx login page. Credentials are captured and used to access the victim's FedEx account or other services using the same password.
What are the warning signs of fedex package return notification scam?+
Email claims a package is being returned but you have no pending deliveries Link asks for login credentials to prevent the return Sender email does not match FedEx official domains
What should I do if I encounter fedex package return notification scam?+
Log in to fedex.com directly to check your delivery status — do not use links from emails. If you have no pending deliveries, ignore the email entirely. Report to [email protected].
Who is most at risk for fedex package return notification scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online shoppers, Adults. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada and typically appears on FedEx.
Is fedex package return notification scam getting worse?+
FedEx package return notification scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, CA. 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.