$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
The UPS Store impersonator scam
Scammers impersonate The UPS Store via email or phone, offering fake notary, printing, or mailbox services to collect personal documents and payment information.
“impersonation scam”
↑ 604%Key indicators
Usually targetsSmall business owners
Often hitsSmall business owners
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$640
median reported loss
Typical range$40 – $8.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Annual reports330,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers email or call claiming to represent a local UPS Store location, offering services like mailbox rental or notarization.
2
Victims are asked to submit personal documents such as IDs and utility bills, which are then used for identity theft.
3
Payment is collected through untraceable methods, and the services are never provided.
What to do first
Verify any UPS Store communication by calling the specific store location directly using the number listed on theupsstore.com.
Related terms
fake UPS Store emailUPS Store phishingUPS retail impersonationBrand impersonation scamsUPSSurgingSmall business ownersSeniorsAdultsSmall business ownersCreators and online sellersRetirees and seniorsUnited Statesfake UPS Store emailUPS Store phishing
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Christopher, 45, a small business owners, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate brand impersonation scams situation while using UPS. Scammers email or call claiming to represent a local UPS Store location, offering services like mailbox rental or notarization.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Victims are asked to submit personal documents such as IDs and utility bills, which are then used for identity theft.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Payment is collected through untraceable methods, and the services are never provided.
The outcome
Christopher realized something was wrong when unsolicited offer for ups store services you did not request. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Verify any UPS Store communication by calling the specific store location directly using the number listed on theupsstore.com. Christopher's experience shows why unsolicited offer for ups store services you did not request and email asks you to send personal documents for notarization or mailbox setup are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Unsolicited offer for UPS Store services you did not request
- Email asks you to send personal documents for notarization or mailbox setup
- Payment requested through non-standard methods like wire transfer or gift cards
- 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 UPS Store communication by calling the specific store location directly using the number listed on theupsstore.com.
- ✓Never send personal documents via email to an unsolicited contact.
- ✓Report impersonation to UPS at [email protected].
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 BBB has documented reports of scammers impersonating UPS Store franchise locations to collect personal information and advance fees.
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 UPS Store communication by calling the specific store location directly using the number listed on theupsstore.com.
- ✓Never send personal documents via email to an unsolicited contact.
- ✓Report impersonation to UPS at [email protected].
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 BBB has documented reports of scammers impersonating UPS Store franchise locations to collect personal information and advance fees.
BBB Scam Tracker 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
Small business owners, Seniors, Adults
Geographic concentration
United States
Primary channel
UPS — Brand impersonation scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Small business owners 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 BBB has documented reports of scammers impersonating UPS Store franchise locations to collect personal information and advance fees.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about the ups store impersonator scam
How does the the ups store impersonator scam work?+
Scammers email or call claiming to represent a local UPS Store location, offering services like mailbox rental or notarization. Victims are asked to submit personal documents such as IDs and utility bills, which are then used for identity theft. Payment is collected through untraceable methods, and the services are never provided.
What are the warning signs of the ups store impersonator scam?+
Unsolicited offer for UPS Store services you did not request Email asks you to send personal documents for notarization or mailbox setup Payment requested through non-standard methods like wire transfer or gift cards
What should I do if I encounter the ups store impersonator scam?+
Verify any UPS Store communication by calling the specific store location directly using the number listed on theupsstore.com. Never send personal documents via email to an unsolicited contact. Report impersonation to UPS at [email protected].
Who is most at risk for the ups store impersonator scam?+
This scam primarily targets Small business owners, Seniors, Adults. It is most commonly reported in United States and typically appears on UPS.
Is the ups store impersonator scam getting worse?+
The UPS Store impersonator scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US. Last updated 2026-04-04.
Related scams
Similar scams to watch out for
Government impersonation
↑ 121%Tax refund verification phishing scam
A fake refund or filing problem message pressures the victim to verify tax identity through a counterfeit government portal.
What to do first
Go directly to the tax authority website instead of using message links.
Targets
Tax filers
Seen in
U.S.
Smishing
↓ 16%Tax agency refund text link scam
A text says a refund or filing issue needs immediate identity confirmation through a mobile link.
What to do first
Use the tax authority's official website instead of the text.
Targets
Tax filers
Seen in
U.S.
Government impersonation
↑ 52%Census or survey data harvest scam
A fake government survey or census call collects identity, household, or banking data under the banner of compliance.
What to do first
Verify the survey through the agency website before participating.
Targets
Households
Seen in
Global
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.
Relevant collections