$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
package delivery QR code scam
Fake delivery notices left on doors or in mailboxes contain QR codes that victims scan to reschedule delivery, leading to phishing sites that steal personal and financial data.
“QR code scam”
↑ 133%Key indicators
Usually targetsOnline shoppers
Often hitsCreators and online sellers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers leave fake missed-delivery notices on doors with a QR code to reschedule delivery.
2
The QR code directs to a phishing site that mimics a delivery company's portal, asking for address, phone number, and payment for redelivery.
3
Harvested data is used for identity theft and fraudulent transactions.
What to do first
Do not scan QR codes on unexpected delivery notices — check your tracking directly with the retailer or carrier.
Related terms
fake delivery notice QRmissed package QR scamQR code scamsPhysical QR codeRisingOnline shoppersResidentsSeniorsCreators and online sellersRetirees and seniorsOnline shoppersUnited StatesUnited KingdomAustraliafake delivery notice QRmissed package QR scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Jessica, 34, a online shoppers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate qr code scams situation while using Physical QR code. Scammers leave fake missed-delivery notices on doors with a QR code to reschedule delivery.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The QR code directs to a phishing site that mimics a delivery company's portal, asking for address, phone number, and payment for redelivery.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Harvested data is used for identity theft and fraudulent transactions.
The outcome
Jessica realized something was wrong when delivery notice does not include a specific carrier name or tracking number. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Do not scan QR codes on unexpected delivery notices — check your tracking directly with the retailer or carrier. Jessica's experience shows why delivery notice does not include a specific carrier name or tracking number and qr code leads to a site requesting personal information to reschedule are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Delivery notice does not include a specific carrier name or tracking number
- QR code leads to a site requesting personal information to reschedule
- Notice does not match the format of any known delivery service
- 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
- ✓Do not scan QR codes on unexpected delivery notices — check your tracking directly with the retailer or carrier.
- ✓Look for your tracking number in your email confirmations and use the official carrier website.
- ✓Report suspicious delivery notices to the carrier being impersonated and to 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.
- The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warned in 2024 about fake USPS delivery notices with QR codes appearing in residential mailboxes across multiple states.
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.
- ✓Do not scan QR codes on unexpected delivery notices — check your tracking directly with the retailer or carrier.
- ✓Look for your tracking number in your email confirmations and use the official carrier website.
- ✓Report suspicious delivery notices to the carrier being impersonated and to 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.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warned in 2024 about fake USPS delivery notices with QR codes appearing in residential mailboxes across multiple states.
U.S. Postal Inspection Service 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, Residents, Seniors
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada
Primary channel
Physical QR code — QR code 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 growing number of 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
- The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warned in 2024 about fake USPS delivery notices with QR codes appearing in residential mailboxes across multiple states.
Source notes
- U.S. Postal Inspection Service 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about package delivery qr code scam
How does the package delivery qr code scam work?+
Scammers leave fake missed-delivery notices on doors with a QR code to reschedule delivery. The QR code directs to a phishing site that mimics a delivery company's portal, asking for address, phone number, and payment for redelivery. Harvested data is used for identity theft and fraudulent transactions.
What are the warning signs of package delivery qr code scam?+
Delivery notice does not include a specific carrier name or tracking number QR code leads to a site requesting personal information to reschedule Notice does not match the format of any known delivery service
What should I do if I encounter package delivery qr code scam?+
Do not scan QR codes on unexpected delivery notices — check your tracking directly with the retailer or carrier. Look for your tracking number in your email confirmations and use the official carrier website. Report suspicious delivery notices to the carrier being impersonated and to the FTC.
Who is most at risk for package delivery qr code scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online shoppers, Residents, Seniors. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and typically appears on Physical QR code.
Is package delivery qr code scam on the rise?+
package delivery QR code scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, UK, AU, 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.