$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
UPS failed delivery attempt notice scam
A door tag, email, or text claims UPS attempted delivery and failed, asking you to call a fake number or visit a fake site to reschedule — leading to a phone scam or phishing page.
“package delivery scam text”
↓ 31%Key indicators
Usually targetsHomeowners
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 leave fake door tags or send electronic notices mimicking UPS failed delivery alerts.
2
Victims call a fake phone number where operators extract personal and financial information.
3
Some variants direct to phishing websites that install malware or harvest credentials.
What to do first
Verify any delivery attempt by entering the InfoNotice number at ups.com or calling 1-800-742-5877.
Related terms
fake UPS door tagUPS missed delivery scamUPS redelivery phishingPackage delivery scamsUPSSurgingHomeownersOnline shoppersSeniorsCreators and online sellersReal estate professionals and homebuyersRetirees and seniorsUnited StatesCanadafake UPS door tagUPS missed delivery scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Rebecca, 42, a homeowners, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate package delivery scams situation while using UPS. Scammers leave fake door tags or send electronic notices mimicking UPS failed delivery alerts.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Victims call a fake phone number where operators extract personal and financial information.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Some variants direct to phishing websites that install malware or harvest credentials.
The outcome
Rebecca realized something was wrong when door tag or notice does not match the official ups infonotice format. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Verify any delivery attempt by entering the InfoNotice number at ups.com or calling 1-800-742-5877. Rebecca's experience shows why door tag or notice does not match the official ups infonotice format and phone number provided does not match ups official customer service are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Door tag or notice does not match the official UPS InfoNotice format
- Phone number provided does not match UPS official customer service
- Requests payment to reschedule a delivery attempt
- 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 delivery attempt by entering the InfoNotice number at ups.com or calling 1-800-742-5877.
- ✓Never call phone numbers printed on suspicious door tags without verifying them first.
- ✓Report fake notices to UPS and your local postal inspector.
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.
- UPS has publicly warned consumers about counterfeit InfoNotice door tags used to redirect victims to fraudulent phone lines and websites.
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 delivery attempt by entering the InfoNotice number at ups.com or calling 1-800-742-5877.
- ✓Never call phone numbers printed on suspicious door tags without verifying them first.
- ✓Report fake notices to UPS and your local postal inspector.
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.
UPS has publicly warned consumers about counterfeit InfoNotice door tags used to redirect victims to fraudulent phone lines and websites.
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, Online shoppers, 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
- UPS has publicly warned consumers about counterfeit InfoNotice door tags used to redirect victims to fraudulent phone lines and websites.
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about ups failed delivery attempt notice scam
How does the ups failed delivery attempt notice scam work?+
Scammers leave fake door tags or send electronic notices mimicking UPS failed delivery alerts. Victims call a fake phone number where operators extract personal and financial information. Some variants direct to phishing websites that install malware or harvest credentials.
What are the warning signs of ups failed delivery attempt notice scam?+
Door tag or notice does not match the official UPS InfoNotice format Phone number provided does not match UPS official customer service Requests payment to reschedule a delivery attempt
What should I do if I encounter ups failed delivery attempt notice scam?+
Verify any delivery attempt by entering the InfoNotice number at ups.com or calling 1-800-742-5877. Never call phone numbers printed on suspicious door tags without verifying them first. Report fake notices to UPS and your local postal inspector.
Who is most at risk for ups failed delivery attempt notice scam?+
This scam primarily targets Homeowners, Online shoppers, Seniors. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada and typically appears on UPS.
Is ups failed delivery attempt notice scam getting worse?+
UPS failed delivery attempt notice 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.