$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
UPS delivery notification text scam
A text message impersonating UPS claims a package cannot be delivered and asks the recipient to click a link to update delivery preferences, leading to a credential-harvesting phishing site.
“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 mass SMS messages claiming a UPS package could not be delivered and needs rescheduling.
2
The link leads to a convincing replica of the UPS website that asks for name, address, and credit card details.
3
Harvested data is used for identity theft or sold on dark web marketplaces.
What to do first
Do not click any links — go directly to ups.com and enter your tracking number manually.
Related terms
UPS smishingUPS fake delivery textUPS SMS phishingPackage delivery scamsUPSSurgingOnline shoppersAdultsSeniorsCreators and online sellersRetirees and seniorsOnline shoppersUnited StatesCanadaUnited KingdomUPS smishingUPS fake delivery text
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Maria, 34, a online shoppers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate package delivery scams situation while using UPS. Scammers send mass SMS messages claiming a UPS package could not be delivered and needs rescheduling.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The link leads to a convincing replica of the UPS website that asks for name, address, and credit card details.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Harvested data is used for identity theft or sold on dark web marketplaces.
The outcome
Maria realized something was wrong when text message from a random phone number claiming to be ups. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Do not click any links — go directly to ups.com and enter your tracking number manually. Maria's experience shows why text message from a random phone number claiming to be ups and link directs to a domain that is not ups.com are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Text message from a random phone number claiming to be UPS
- Link directs to a domain that is not ups.com
- Requests personal information or payment to reschedule 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
- ✓Do not click any links — go directly to ups.com and enter your tracking number manually.
- ✓Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) and report to UPS at [email protected].
- ✓Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
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 FTC reported that package delivery impersonation texts were the most commonly reported text scam in 2023, with delivery-themed smishing up over 30% year-over-year.
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 click any links — go directly to ups.com and enter your tracking number manually.
- ✓Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) and report to UPS at [email protected].
- ✓Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
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 FTC reported that package delivery impersonation texts were the most commonly reported text scam in 2023, with delivery-themed smishing up over 30% year-over-year.
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, Adults, Seniors
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada, United Kingdom
Primary channel
UPS — 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
- The FTC reported that package delivery impersonation texts were the most commonly reported text scam in 2023, with delivery-themed smishing up over 30% year-over-year.
Source notes
- FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about ups delivery notification text scam
How does the ups delivery notification text scam work?+
Scammers send mass SMS messages claiming a UPS package could not be delivered and needs rescheduling. The link leads to a convincing replica of the UPS website that asks for name, address, and credit card details. Harvested data is used for identity theft or sold on dark web marketplaces.
What are the warning signs of ups delivery notification text scam?+
Text message from a random phone number claiming to be UPS Link directs to a domain that is not ups.com Requests personal information or payment to reschedule delivery
What should I do if I encounter ups delivery notification text scam?+
Do not click any links — go directly to ups.com and enter your tracking number manually. Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) and report to UPS at [email protected]. Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Who is most at risk for ups delivery notification text scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online shoppers, Adults, Seniors. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada, United Kingdom and typically appears on UPS.
Is ups delivery notification text scam getting worse?+
UPS delivery notification text 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.