$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
USPS undeliverable mail notification scam
Fake emails or letters claim that important mail could not be delivered and direct recipients to a phishing website to schedule redelivery by entering personal information.
“package delivery scam text”
↓ 31%Key indicators
Usually targetsGeneral consumers
Often hitsReal estate professionals and homebuyers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$160
median reported loss
Typical range$16 – $1.6K
Recovery rate~20%
Annual reports160,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers send emails mimicking USPS undeliverable mail notices, claiming important correspondence could not be delivered due to an address or availability issue.
2
The phishing link leads to a form requesting full name, address, phone number, and sometimes Social Security number to 'schedule redelivery.'
3
Collected information is used for identity theft or sold to other scam operations.
What to do first
USPS leaves physical delivery attempt notices (PS Form 3849) in your mailbox — they do not send email notifications about undeliverable regular mail.
Related terms
USPS failed delivery noticefake undeliverable mailUSPS mail return scamPackage delivery scamsUSPSSurgingGeneral consumersOlder adultsHomeownersReal estate professionals and homebuyersRetirees and seniorsOnline shoppersUnited StatesUSPS failed delivery noticefake undeliverable mail
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Rachel, 35, a general consumers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate package delivery scams situation while using USPS. Scammers send emails mimicking USPS undeliverable mail notices, claiming important correspondence could not be delivered due to an address or availability issue.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The phishing link leads to a form requesting full name, address, phone number, and sometimes Social Security number to 'schedule redelivery.'
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Collected information is used for identity theft or sold to other scam operations.
The outcome
Rachel realized something was wrong when notification claims important documents or certified mail could not be delivered but provides no specific details about the sender. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
USPS leaves physical delivery attempt notices (PS Form 3849) in your mailbox — they do not send email notifications about undeliverable regular mail. Rachel's experience shows why notification claims important documents or certified mail could not be delivered but provides no specific details about the sender and recipient is asked to enter personal information on a website to schedule redelivery are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Notification claims important documents or certified mail could not be delivered but provides no specific details about the sender
- Recipient is asked to enter personal information on a website to schedule redelivery
- The notification email comes from a non-USPS email domain
- 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 leaves physical delivery attempt notices (PS Form 3849) in your mailbox — they do not send email notifications about undeliverable regular mail.
- ✓If you receive a suspicious email about undeliverable mail, do not click any links — visit usps.com directly.
- ✓Report the phishing email to the Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov.
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's Consumer Sentinel database shows delivery notification scams consistently rank among the top phishing categories reported by consumers.
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 leaves physical delivery attempt notices (PS Form 3849) in your mailbox — they do not send email notifications about undeliverable regular mail.
- ✓If you receive a suspicious email about undeliverable mail, do not click any links — visit usps.com directly.
- ✓Report the phishing email to the Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov.
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's Consumer Sentinel database shows delivery notification scams consistently rank among the top phishing categories reported by consumers.
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
General consumers, Older adults, Homeowners
Geographic concentration
United States
Primary channel
USPS — Package delivery scams
Why this group is vulnerable
General consumers 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's Consumer Sentinel database shows delivery notification scams consistently rank among the top phishing categories reported by consumers.
Source notes
- FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about usps undeliverable mail notification scam
How does the usps undeliverable mail notification scam work?+
Scammers send emails mimicking USPS undeliverable mail notices, claiming important correspondence could not be delivered due to an address or availability issue. The phishing link leads to a form requesting full name, address, phone number, and sometimes Social Security number to 'schedule redelivery.' Collected information is used for identity theft or sold to other scam operations.
What are the warning signs of usps undeliverable mail notification scam?+
Notification claims important documents or certified mail could not be delivered but provides no specific details about the sender Recipient is asked to enter personal information on a website to schedule redelivery The notification email comes from a non-USPS email domain
What should I do if I encounter usps undeliverable mail notification scam?+
USPS leaves physical delivery attempt notices (PS Form 3849) in your mailbox — they do not send email notifications about undeliverable regular mail. If you receive a suspicious email about undeliverable mail, do not click any links — visit usps.com directly. Report the phishing email to the Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov.
Who is most at risk for usps undeliverable mail notification scam?+
This scam primarily targets General consumers, Older adults, Homeowners. It is most commonly reported in United States and typically appears on USPS.
Is usps undeliverable mail notification scam getting worse?+
USPS undeliverable mail notification 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.