High riskDelivery

UPS Text Scam

This scam sends a fake UPS message claiming a delivery failed or that your address is needed, with a link to pay a small fee or confirm details on a fake page that harvests your card and personal information.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Delivery impersonation scam
Main red flag
An unexpected UPS text saying delivery failed and asking you to pay or confirm details through a link.
What to do first
Do not tap the link. Verify any delivery using the official UPS website or app with your own tracking number.

What to know first

This scam sends a fake UPS message claiming a delivery failed or that your address is needed, with a link to pay a small fee or confirm details on a fake page that harvests your card and personal information.

Delivery scams (a form of smishing) impersonate couriers with a believable small problem, an unpaid fee, a wrong address, a held parcel, timed to arrive when you might be expecting something. The link leads to a cloned courier site that harvests your card details and a bank one-time code.

The core pattern to watch for is clear: An unexpected UPS text saying delivery failed and asking you to pay or confirm details through a link. Do not tap the link. Verify any delivery using the official UPS website or app with your own tracking number.

Related tricks worth knowing: the USPS Text Scam and the Fake Delivery Text Scam. For the wider picture, browse the Delivery & Postal Scams guides or run the message through our scam checker.

Scam statistics

#2
fake package-delivery texts were the second most-reported text scam in 2022
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
$330M
reported lost to text-message scams in the US in 2022
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Tell-tale red flags

  • A 'delivery failed' text for a parcel you did not order or cannot identify
  • A demand for a small surcharge, customs charge, or handling fee
  • A link that does not lead to the official ups.com domain
  • Wording that warns the parcel will be returned or destroyed unless you act fast
  • A request for card or login details to reschedule the delivery

Staying safe

  • Do not tap the link or enter any information
  • Check your tracking number directly on the official UPS website or app
  • Report the message to UPS through its official fraud page and to your mobile provider
  • Delete the message and block the sender

How it usually reads

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'UPS: Your package delivery failed due to an unpaid surcharge of $2.99. Reschedule now to avoid return: [suspicious link]'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What to notice: An unexpected UPS text saying delivery failed and asking you to pay or confirm details through a link.

Steps if you already acted

  • Do not enter any more details on the page
  • If you provided card details, contact your bank to flag or freeze the card
  • Change the password for any account where you reused that login
  • Monitor your bank and card statements for unexpected charges

Common mistakes

  • Do not reply to the text or ring a number it provides
  • Do not share verification or one-time codes
  • Do not download any tracking app the link offers

Scams like this one

High risk Delivery

USPS Text Scam

This scam sends a fake USPS message about a missed delivery or an address that needs confirming, with a link to a phishing page that collects your card and personal details, sometimes after a small redelivery fee.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Delivery

Fake Delivery Text Scam

This scam impersonates a courier with a missed-delivery text and a link to a fake page that asks for a fee or your personal and card details.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Delivery

Fake Customs Fee Text

This scam texts that a parcel is held in customs and a fee is due, linking to a fake page that collects your card and personal details.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Your questions answered

Does UPS charge delivery fees by text?
Most genuine charges are arranged when you place an order or through the official UPS site, not demanded by a surprise text. A small fee requested through a text link is a common scam pattern.
The text has a tracking number, so is it genuine?
Scammers often add a random or fake tracking number to look convincing. Always check the number on the official UPS site rather than trusting the link.
What if I already entered my card details?
Contact your bank immediately to report it and protect your card. The sooner you act, the better the chance the charge can be blocked or disputed.
How do I report a UPS text scam?
You can report it to UPS through its official fraud reporting page, to your mobile provider, and to your national anti-fraud centre.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.