$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
USPS missing package claim scam
Fake websites impersonating USPS promise to help locate missing packages if users fill out a claim form that collects extensive personal and financial information.
“impersonation scam”
↑ 604%Key indicators
Usually targetsOnline shoppers
Often hitsCreators and online sellers
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 create websites that rank in search results for terms like 'USPS missing package' or 'USPS package claim,' mimicking the USPS brand.
2
Frustrated consumers searching for lost packages find these sites and fill out detailed claim forms requesting personal data and sometimes a 'claim processing fee.'
3
The collected data and payments go directly to the scammers, who provide no actual package tracking or recovery service.
What to do first
File missing package claims only through the official USPS website at usps.com/help or at your local post office.
Related terms
USPS lost package scamfake USPS claim formpackage search scamBrand impersonation scamsUSPSSurgingOnline shoppersGeneral consumersOlder adultsCreators and online sellersRetirees and seniorsOnline shoppersUnited StatesUSPS lost package scamfake USPS claim form
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 brand impersonation scams situation while using USPS. Scammers create websites that rank in search results for terms like 'USPS missing package' or 'USPS package claim,' mimicking the USPS brand.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Frustrated consumers searching for lost packages find these sites and fill out detailed claim forms requesting personal data and sometimes a 'claim processing fee.'
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The collected data and payments go directly to the scammers, who provide no actual package tracking or recovery service.
The outcome
Samantha realized something was wrong when website promises to locate your missing package faster than usps official channels. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
File missing package claims only through the official USPS website at usps.com/help or at your local post office. Samantha's experience shows why website promises to locate your missing package faster than usps official channels and claim form asks for credit card information or a processing fee to file a search request are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Website promises to locate your missing package faster than USPS official channels
- Claim form asks for credit card information or a processing fee to file a search request
- The website URL does not match usps.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
- ✓File missing package claims only through the official USPS website at usps.com/help or at your local post office.
- ✓USPS does not charge fees to file a missing mail search request — the service is free.
- ✓Report fraudulent USPS-impersonating websites to the Postal Inspection Service.
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 Postal Inspection Service warns consumers to use only official USPS channels for missing package claims, as fraudulent sites continue to proliferate in search results.
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.
- ✓File missing package claims only through the official USPS website at usps.com/help or at your local post office.
- ✓USPS does not charge fees to file a missing mail search request — the service is free.
- ✓Report fraudulent USPS-impersonating websites to the Postal Inspection Service.
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 Postal Inspection Service warns consumers to use only official USPS channels for missing package claims, as fraudulent sites continue to proliferate in search results.
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
Online shoppers, General consumers, Older adults
Geographic concentration
United States
Primary channel
USPS — Brand impersonation 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 Postal Inspection Service warns consumers to use only official USPS channels for missing package claims, as fraudulent sites continue to proliferate in search results.
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about usps missing package claim scam
How does the usps missing package claim scam work?+
Scammers create websites that rank in search results for terms like 'USPS missing package' or 'USPS package claim,' mimicking the USPS brand. Frustrated consumers searching for lost packages find these sites and fill out detailed claim forms requesting personal data and sometimes a 'claim processing fee.' The collected data and payments go directly to the scammers, who provide no actual package tracking or recovery service.
What are the warning signs of usps missing package claim scam?+
Website promises to locate your missing package faster than USPS official channels Claim form asks for credit card information or a processing fee to file a search request The website URL does not match usps.com
What should I do if I encounter usps missing package claim scam?+
File missing package claims only through the official USPS website at usps.com/help or at your local post office. USPS does not charge fees to file a missing mail search request — the service is free. Report fraudulent USPS-impersonating websites to the Postal Inspection Service.
Who is most at risk for usps missing package claim 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 missing package claim scam getting worse?+
USPS missing package claim 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.