$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
UPS tracking phishing email scam
A phishing email impersonates UPS with a fake tracking update or delivery failure notice, directing victims to a spoofed website to steal login credentials or financial information.
“package delivery scam text”
↓ 31%Key indicators
Usually targetsOnline shoppers
Often hitsFreelancers and contractors
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 emails mimicking UPS branding with a subject line about a delivery exception or tracking update.
2
The email contains a link to a fake UPS login page or an attachment with embedded malware.
3
Victims who enter credentials on the fake page have their UPS account or associated email compromised.
What to do first
Track packages only through the official ups.com website or UPS mobile app.
Related terms
fake UPS emailUPS delivery failure phishingUPS tracking email scamPackage delivery scamsEmailSurgingOnline shoppersSmall business ownersFreelancers and contractorsSmall business ownersPayroll, HR, and finance teamsUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadafake UPS emailUPS delivery failure phishing
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Sofia, 34, a online shoppers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate package delivery scams situation while using Email. Scammers send emails mimicking UPS branding with a subject line about a delivery exception or tracking update.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The email contains a link to a fake UPS login page or an attachment with embedded malware.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Victims who enter credentials on the fake page have their UPS account or associated email compromised.
The outcome
Sofia realized something was wrong when email sender domain is not ups.com. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Track packages only through the official ups.com website or UPS mobile app. Sofia's experience shows why email sender domain is not ups.com and contains an attachment labeled 'shipping label' or 'invoice' that may contain malware are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Email sender domain is not ups.com
- Contains an attachment labeled 'shipping label' or 'invoice' that may contain malware
- Asks you to log in to a UPS-branded page to verify your identity or payment
- 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
- ✓Track packages only through the official ups.com website or UPS mobile app.
- ✓Do not open attachments from unexpected UPS emails — UPS does not send unsolicited tracking labels.
- ✓Report phishing emails to [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.
- ✓Keep the full sender address, domain, attachments, and—if possible—the raw email headers.
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 maintains a fraud awareness page warning customers that it does not request personal information, financial data, or account credentials via unsolicited emails.
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.
- ✓Track packages only through the official ups.com website or UPS mobile app.
- ✓Do not open attachments from unexpected UPS emails — UPS does not send unsolicited tracking labels.
- ✓Report phishing emails to [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.
UPS maintains a fraud awareness page warning customers that it does not request personal information, financial data, or account credentials via unsolicited emails.
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
Online shoppers, Small business owners
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada
Primary channel
Email — 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
- UPS maintains a fraud awareness page warning customers that it does not request personal information, financial data, or account credentials via unsolicited emails.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about ups tracking phishing email scam
How does the ups tracking phishing email scam work?+
Scammers send emails mimicking UPS branding with a subject line about a delivery exception or tracking update. The email contains a link to a fake UPS login page or an attachment with embedded malware. Victims who enter credentials on the fake page have their UPS account or associated email compromised.
What are the warning signs of ups tracking phishing email scam?+
Email sender domain is not ups.com Contains an attachment labeled 'shipping label' or 'invoice' that may contain malware Asks you to log in to a UPS-branded page to verify your identity or payment
What should I do if I encounter ups tracking phishing email scam?+
Track packages only through the official ups.com website or UPS mobile app. Do not open attachments from unexpected UPS emails — UPS does not send unsolicited tracking labels. Report phishing emails to [email protected].
Who is most at risk for ups tracking phishing email scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online shoppers, Small business owners. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and typically appears on Email.
Is ups tracking phishing email scam getting worse?+
UPS tracking phishing email scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, 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.
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