$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
UPS driver impersonation scam
A person wearing a UPS-like uniform arrives at a home or business claiming a COD payment is required, additional fees are owed, or requesting a signature on a device that captures personal information.
“package delivery scam text”
↓ 31%Key indicators
Usually targetsHomeowners
Often hitsSmall business owners
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
A scammer dresses in a UPS-like uniform and arrives with a package, claiming payment is required on delivery.
2
The victim pays cash or provides credit card details on a fake handheld device.
3
In some cases the package contains worthless items or is empty.
What to do first
Verify any COD shipment by calling UPS at 1-800-742-5877 before making any payment.
Related terms
fake UPS driverUPS uniform scamCOD delivery fraudPackage delivery scamsUPSSurgingHomeownersSmall business ownersSeniorsSmall business ownersCreators and online sellersReal estate professionals and homebuyersUnited StatesCanadafake UPS driverUPS uniform scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Christopher, 42, a homeowners, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate package delivery scams situation while using UPS. A scammer dresses in a UPS-like uniform and arrives with a package, claiming payment is required on delivery.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The victim pays cash or provides credit card details on a fake handheld device.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: In some cases the package contains worthless items or is empty.
The outcome
Christopher realized something was wrong when driver requests cash payment for a delivery you did not order with cod. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Verify any COD shipment by calling UPS at 1-800-742-5877 before making any payment. Christopher's experience shows why driver requests cash payment for a delivery you did not order with cod and no legitimate ups vehicle visible or vehicle is unmarked are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Driver requests cash payment for a delivery you did not order with COD
- No legitimate UPS vehicle visible or vehicle is unmarked
- Driver cannot provide a valid tracking number or InfoNotice
- 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
- ✓Verify any COD shipment by calling UPS at 1-800-742-5877 before making any payment.
- ✓Ask for the driver's UPS employee ID and the shipment tracking number.
- ✓Report suspicious in-person delivery attempts to UPS and local police.
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.
- Law enforcement agencies across the US have reported isolated incidents of delivery driver impersonation involving UPS and other major carriers.
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.
- ✓Verify any COD shipment by calling UPS at 1-800-742-5877 before making any payment.
- ✓Ask for the driver's UPS employee ID and the shipment tracking number.
- ✓Report suspicious in-person delivery attempts to UPS and local police.
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.
Law enforcement agencies across the US have reported isolated incidents of delivery driver impersonation involving UPS and other major carriers.
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
Homeowners, Small business owners, Seniors
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada
Primary channel
UPS — Package delivery scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Homeowners 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
- Law enforcement agencies across the US have reported isolated incidents of delivery driver impersonation involving UPS and other major carriers.
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about ups driver impersonation scam
How does the ups driver impersonation scam work?+
A scammer dresses in a UPS-like uniform and arrives with a package, claiming payment is required on delivery. The victim pays cash or provides credit card details on a fake handheld device. In some cases the package contains worthless items or is empty.
What are the warning signs of ups driver impersonation scam?+
Driver requests cash payment for a delivery you did not order with COD No legitimate UPS vehicle visible or vehicle is unmarked Driver cannot provide a valid tracking number or InfoNotice
What should I do if I encounter ups driver impersonation scam?+
Verify any COD shipment by calling UPS at 1-800-742-5877 before making any payment. Ask for the driver's UPS employee ID and the shipment tracking number. Report suspicious in-person delivery attempts to UPS and local police.
Who is most at risk for ups driver impersonation scam?+
This scam primarily targets Homeowners, Small business owners, Seniors. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada and typically appears on UPS.
Is ups driver impersonation scam getting worse?+
UPS driver impersonation scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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What to do first
Go directly to the tax authority website instead of using message links.
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What to do first
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What to do first
Verify the survey through the agency website before participating.
Targets
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Seen in
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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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