$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
USPS tracking number phishing scam
Phishing emails provide a fake USPS tracking number and link, directing recipients to a spoofed tracking page that installs malware or steals personal information.
“package delivery scam text”
↓ 31%Key indicators
Usually targetsOnline shoppers
Often hitsSmall business owners
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 USPS shipping notifications with a tracking number and a 'Track Your Package' button.
2
The link leads to a fake USPS tracking page that either asks for personal information to 'verify delivery' or prompts a malware download disguised as a tracking app.
3
Malware installed through these attacks can capture banking credentials, personal files, and keystroke data.
What to do first
Track packages only by entering the tracking number directly at usps.com — never click tracking links in emails.
Related terms
USPS tracking phishingfake tracking number emailUSPS package tracking scamPackage delivery scamsUSPSSurgingOnline shoppersGeneral consumersSmall business ownersSmall business ownersCreators and online sellersOnline shoppersUnited StatesCanadaUSPS tracking phishingfake tracking number email
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Megan, 34, a online shoppers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate package delivery scams situation while using USPS. Scammers send emails mimicking USPS shipping notifications with a tracking number and a 'Track Your Package' button.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The link leads to a fake USPS tracking page that either asks for personal information to 'verify delivery' or prompts a malware download disguised as a tracking app.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Malware installed through these attacks can capture banking credentials, personal files, and keystroke data.
The outcome
Megan realized something was wrong when email includes a tracking number for a package you did not order. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Track packages only by entering the tracking number directly at usps.com — never click tracking links in emails. Megan's experience shows why email includes a tracking number for a package you did not order and clicking 'track package' leads to a site that is not usps.com are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Email includes a tracking number for a package you did not order
- Clicking 'Track Package' leads to a site that is not usps.com
- Email asks you to download a file to view tracking details
- 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 by entering the tracking number directly at usps.com — never click tracking links in emails.
- ✓If you did not order a package, the tracking notification is not for you — delete the email.
- ✓Run antivirus software if you clicked a suspicious link or downloaded a file, and change your passwords.
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 FBI IC3 noted that phishing emails impersonating shipping companies remain one of the most common social engineering attacks, with USPS being the most impersonated carrier.
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 by entering the tracking number directly at usps.com — never click tracking links in emails.
- ✓If you did not order a package, the tracking notification is not for you — delete the email.
- ✓Run antivirus software if you clicked a suspicious link or downloaded a file, and change your passwords.
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 FBI IC3 noted that phishing emails impersonating shipping companies remain one of the most common social engineering attacks, with USPS being the most impersonated carrier.
FBI IC3 2024
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, Small business owners
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada
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 FBI IC3 noted that phishing emails impersonating shipping companies remain one of the most common social engineering attacks, with USPS being the most impersonated carrier.
Source notes
- FBI IC3 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about usps tracking number phishing scam
How does the usps tracking number phishing scam work?+
Scammers send emails mimicking USPS shipping notifications with a tracking number and a 'Track Your Package' button. The link leads to a fake USPS tracking page that either asks for personal information to 'verify delivery' or prompts a malware download disguised as a tracking app. Malware installed through these attacks can capture banking credentials, personal files, and keystroke data.
What are the warning signs of usps tracking number phishing scam?+
Email includes a tracking number for a package you did not order Clicking 'Track Package' leads to a site that is not usps.com Email asks you to download a file to view tracking details
What should I do if I encounter usps tracking number phishing scam?+
Track packages only by entering the tracking number directly at usps.com — never click tracking links in emails. If you did not order a package, the tracking notification is not for you — delete the email. Run antivirus software if you clicked a suspicious link or downloaded a file, and change your passwords.
Who is most at risk for usps tracking number phishing scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online shoppers, General consumers, Small business owners. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada and typically appears on USPS.
Is usps tracking number phishing scam getting worse?+
USPS tracking number phishing scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, 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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