$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
USPS Informed Delivery phishing scam
Phishing emails impersonate USPS Informed Delivery notifications, tricking users into clicking links that lead to fake login pages to steal their USPS.com account credentials.
“impersonation scam”
↑ 604%Key indicators
Usually targetsUSPS Informed Delivery users
Often hitsReal estate professionals and homebuyers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $12K
Recovery rate~15%
Annual reports330,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers replicate the design of USPS Informed Delivery daily digest emails, which show scanned images of incoming mail.
2
The fake email includes a link to 'view your incoming mail' that leads to a replica of the USPS login page.
3
Stolen USPS.com credentials can be used to change delivery instructions, redirect packages, or gather information about the victim's mail for further scams.
What to do first
Access Informed Delivery only by logging in directly at informeddelivery.usps.com — never through links in emails.
Related terms
fake Informed Delivery emailUSPS daily digest phishingUSPS mail preview scamBrand impersonation scamsUSPSSurgingUSPS Informed Delivery usersGeneral consumersHomeownersReal estate professionals and homebuyersOnline shoppersUnited Statesfake Informed Delivery emailUSPS daily digest phishing
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Priya, 35, a usps informed delivery users, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate brand impersonation scams situation while using USPS. Scammers replicate the design of USPS Informed Delivery daily digest emails, which show scanned images of incoming mail.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The fake email includes a link to 'view your incoming mail' that leads to a replica of the USPS login page.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Stolen USPS.com credentials can be used to change delivery instructions, redirect packages, or gather information about the victim's mail for further scams.
The outcome
Priya realized something was wrong when email looks like an informed delivery notification but comes from a non-usps sender address. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Access Informed Delivery only by logging in directly at informeddelivery.usps.com — never through links in emails. Priya's experience shows why email looks like an informed delivery notification but comes from a non-usps sender address and the 'view your mail' link leads to a domain that is not informeddelivery.usps.com are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Email looks like an Informed Delivery notification but comes from a non-USPS sender address
- The 'View Your Mail' link leads to a domain that is not informeddelivery.usps.com
- Email asks you to re-enter your USPS.com login credentials to view your mail preview
- 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
- ✓Access Informed Delivery only by logging in directly at informeddelivery.usps.com — never through links in emails.
- ✓Check the sender's email address — legitimate Informed Delivery emails come from [email protected].
- ✓Enable two-factor authentication on your USPS.com account to prevent unauthorized access.
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.
- USPS Informed Delivery has over 60 million users, making it a high-value target for phishing campaigns impersonating the service.
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.
- ✓Access Informed Delivery only by logging in directly at informeddelivery.usps.com — never through links in emails.
- ✓Check the sender's email address — legitimate Informed Delivery emails come from [email protected].
- ✓Enable two-factor authentication on your USPS.com account to prevent unauthorized access.
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.
USPS Informed Delivery has over 60 million users, making it a high-value target for phishing campaigns impersonating the service.
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
USPS Informed Delivery users, General consumers, Homeowners
Geographic concentration
United States
Primary channel
USPS — Brand impersonation scams
Why this group is vulnerable
USPS Informed Delivery users 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
- USPS Informed Delivery has over 60 million users, making it a high-value target for phishing campaigns impersonating the service.
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about usps informed delivery phishing scam
How does the usps informed delivery phishing scam work?+
Scammers replicate the design of USPS Informed Delivery daily digest emails, which show scanned images of incoming mail. The fake email includes a link to 'view your incoming mail' that leads to a replica of the USPS login page. Stolen USPS.com credentials can be used to change delivery instructions, redirect packages, or gather information about the victim's mail for further scams.
What are the warning signs of usps informed delivery phishing scam?+
Email looks like an Informed Delivery notification but comes from a non-USPS sender address The 'View Your Mail' link leads to a domain that is not informeddelivery.usps.com Email asks you to re-enter your USPS.com login credentials to view your mail preview
What should I do if I encounter usps informed delivery phishing scam?+
Access Informed Delivery only by logging in directly at informeddelivery.usps.com — never through links in emails. Check the sender's email address — legitimate Informed Delivery emails come from [email protected]. Enable two-factor authentication on your USPS.com account to prevent unauthorized access.
Who is most at risk for usps informed delivery phishing scam?+
This scam primarily targets USPS Informed Delivery users, General consumers, Homeowners. It is most commonly reported in United States and typically appears on USPS.
Is usps informed delivery phishing scam getting worse?+
USPS Informed Delivery phishing 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.