$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
UPS package rerouting fee scam
A text or email claims your UPS package needs to be rerouted and charges a small fee, which is used to harvest credit card information on a 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 messages claiming your UPS package address is incorrect and needs to be rerouted for a small fee.
2
The payment page captures full credit card information, which is then used for unauthorized charges.
3
Some variants also capture login credentials by asking victims to sign in to their UPS account.
What to do first
Manage package rerouting only through the official UPS website or UPS My Choice app.
Related terms
UPS reroute fee phishingUPS address change scamUPS redirect payment scamPackage delivery scamsUPSSurgingOnline shoppersAdultsProfessionalsCreators and online sellersOnline shoppersUnited StatesCanadaUnited KingdomUPS reroute fee phishingUPS address change scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
James, 34, a online shoppers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate package delivery scams situation while using UPS. Scammers send messages claiming your UPS package address is incorrect and needs to be rerouted for a small fee.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The payment page captures full credit card information, which is then used for unauthorized charges.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Some variants also capture login credentials by asking victims to sign in to their UPS account.
The outcome
James realized something was wrong when message asks for a small fee to reroute a package you did not request to change. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Manage package rerouting only through the official UPS website or UPS My Choice app. James's experience shows why message asks for a small fee to reroute a package you did not request to change and payment page asks for full credit card details for a minor charge are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Message asks for a small fee to reroute a package you did not request to change
- Payment page asks for full credit card details for a minor charge
- URL in the message does not match ups.com
- 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
- ✓Manage package rerouting only through the official UPS website or UPS My Choice app.
- ✓Never enter payment details on a page reached through a text or email link.
- ✓Report the scam to UPS at [email protected] 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 FTC has documented a rise in small-fee phishing scams impersonating delivery services, where low amounts reduce victim suspicion.
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.
- ✓Manage package rerouting only through the official UPS website or UPS My Choice app.
- ✓Never enter payment details on a page reached through a text or email link.
- ✓Report the scam to UPS at [email protected] 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 FTC has documented a rise in small-fee phishing scams impersonating delivery services, where low amounts reduce victim suspicion.
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, Professionals
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 has documented a rise in small-fee phishing scams impersonating delivery services, where low amounts reduce victim suspicion.
Source notes
- FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about ups package rerouting fee scam
How does the ups package rerouting fee scam work?+
Scammers send messages claiming your UPS package address is incorrect and needs to be rerouted for a small fee. The payment page captures full credit card information, which is then used for unauthorized charges. Some variants also capture login credentials by asking victims to sign in to their UPS account.
What are the warning signs of ups package rerouting fee scam?+
Message asks for a small fee to reroute a package you did not request to change Payment page asks for full credit card details for a minor charge URL in the message does not match ups.com
What should I do if I encounter ups package rerouting fee scam?+
Manage package rerouting only through the official UPS website or UPS My Choice app. Never enter payment details on a page reached through a text or email link. Report the scam to UPS at [email protected] and to the FTC.
Who is most at risk for ups package rerouting fee scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online shoppers, Adults, Professionals. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada, United Kingdom and typically appears on UPS.
Is ups package rerouting fee scam getting worse?+
UPS package rerouting fee 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.