$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
USPS address verification text scam
Fake texts claim USPS cannot deliver a package because the address is incomplete, asking victims to click a link and 'verify' their address, which collects personal information for identity theft.
“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
Mass text messages are sent claiming a USPS package cannot be delivered due to an incomplete address, with a link to 'update your information.'
2
The phishing page requests full name, address, phone number, and often credit card details for a small 'redelivery' or 'address update' fee.
3
Collected personal information is used for identity theft, account takeovers, and fraudulent credit applications.
What to do first
USPS does not contact recipients via text to verify addresses — if there is an address issue, USPS returns the package to the sender.
Related terms
USPS address update scamdelivery address phishingUSPS incomplete address textPackage delivery scamsUSPSSurgingOnline shoppersGeneral consumersOlder adultsCreators and online sellersRetirees and seniorsOnline shoppersUnited StatesUSPS address update scamdelivery address phishing
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Samantha, 34, a online shoppers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate package delivery scams situation while using USPS. Mass text messages are sent claiming a USPS package cannot be delivered due to an incomplete address, with a link to 'update your information.'
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The phishing page requests full name, address, phone number, and often credit card details for a small 'redelivery' or 'address update' fee.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Collected personal information is used for identity theft, account takeovers, and fraudulent credit applications.
The outcome
Samantha realized something was wrong when text claims your delivery address is incomplete or incorrect and you must update it via a link. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
USPS does not contact recipients via text to verify addresses — if there is an address issue, USPS returns the package to the sender. Samantha's experience shows why text claims your delivery address is incomplete or incorrect and you must update it via a link and the link asks for your full name, address, phone number, and credit card information are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Text claims your delivery address is incomplete or incorrect and you must update it via a link
- The link asks for your full name, address, phone number, and credit card information
- USPS tracking shows no issue with your actual package delivery
- 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
- ✓USPS does not contact recipients via text to verify addresses — if there is an address issue, USPS returns the package to the sender.
- ✓Check the status of any expected packages directly at usps.com using the tracking number from your original order confirmation.
- ✓Report the scam text to the Postal Inspection Service and forward it to 7726.
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 reported that text message scams (smishing) were the fastest-growing fraud contact method in 2023, with package delivery themes being the most common lure.
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.
- ✓USPS does not contact recipients via text to verify addresses — if there is an address issue, USPS returns the package to the sender.
- ✓Check the status of any expected packages directly at usps.com using the tracking number from your original order confirmation.
- ✓Report the scam text to the Postal Inspection Service and forward it to 7726.
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 reported that text message scams (smishing) were the fastest-growing fraud contact method in 2023, with package delivery themes being the most common lure.
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, General consumers, Older adults
Geographic concentration
United States
Primary channel
USPS — 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 reported that text message scams (smishing) were the fastest-growing fraud contact method in 2023, with package delivery themes being the most common lure.
Source notes
- FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about usps address verification text scam
How does the usps address verification text scam work?+
Mass text messages are sent claiming a USPS package cannot be delivered due to an incomplete address, with a link to 'update your information.' The phishing page requests full name, address, phone number, and often credit card details for a small 'redelivery' or 'address update' fee. Collected personal information is used for identity theft, account takeovers, and fraudulent credit applications.
What are the warning signs of usps address verification text scam?+
Text claims your delivery address is incomplete or incorrect and you must update it via a link The link asks for your full name, address, phone number, and credit card information USPS tracking shows no issue with your actual package delivery
What should I do if I encounter usps address verification text scam?+
USPS does not contact recipients via text to verify addresses — if there is an address issue, USPS returns the package to the sender. Check the status of any expected packages directly at usps.com using the tracking number from your original order confirmation. Report the scam text to the Postal Inspection Service and forward it to 7726.
Who is most at risk for usps address verification text scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online shoppers, General consumers, Older adults. It is most commonly reported in United States and typically appears on USPS.
Is usps address verification text scam getting worse?+
USPS address verification text scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US. 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.