Got a USPS Delivery Text? How to Spot a Smishing Package Tracking Scam

 

Got a USPS Delivery Text? How to Spot a Smishing Package Tracking Scam

Your phone buzzes, and you see a package alert. The text says there is a delivery problem. You feel that quick urge to fix it right away. That split-second reaction is what scammers count on.

USPS smishing is a scam text that pretends to be a delivery notice. It pushes you to tap a link so you can “resolve” the issue. That link usually opens a fake page that asks for personal details or payment. Some versions also try to steal login info or one-time codes.

People also lose real money to text scams, and that is why these messages keep spreading. An April 2025 FTC Data Spotlight says people reported $470 million in losses to text scams in 2024. That number was more than five times what was reported in 2020. So even one click can cost more than “a small redelivery fee.”

These texts keep showing up because deliveries are part of normal life. Scammers know many people are expecting a package at any moment. Even when you are not, the message can still feel possible.

This blog breaks down how the scam works, what the texts usually say, and the fast checks you can use to avoid getting pulled in.

What Smishing Means

Smishing is phishing that happens through SMS text messages. The scammer pretends to be a trusted company or service. The goal is to get you to click a link or share personal details. Many people trust texts more than emails, so smishing often works.

Package tracking scams are one of the most common versions. USPS is an easy name to copy because it feels familiar. A fake delivery issue also feels normal and not suspicious at first. That is why this scam keeps popping up.

Smishing is not limited to shipping texts. You may also see fake bank alerts, fake job messages, or fake prize claims. The pattern stays the same even when the topic changes. A message creates urgency, then a link appears.

Why These Package Texts Keep Coming Back

More shopping happens online now, so more deliveries happen each day. That gives scammers endless chances to send believable messages. They do not need to know your name or your real tracking number. They only need a few people to click.

Bulk texting is cheap and fast for scammers. They send thousands of messages and wait for responses. Even if only a small number of people click, the scam can still make money. That is why these texts come in waves.

Phones also make scams easier to fall for. A link opens instantly with one tap. A form can be filled out in seconds. That speed can beat your common sense when you are tired.

Three Reasons USPS Smishing Works So Well

1. Lots of people are expecting packages at any time.
2. The text sounds like a problem that needs a quick fix.
3. The link feels like the fastest way to solve it.

Scammers do not need a perfect message. They only need a message that feels possible. When you are busy, “possible” can be enough. That is the edge they use.

What A USPS Smishing Text Usually Looks Like

Most scam texts follow a simple script. They mention a delivery issue. They push a link. They add pressure words like “urgent” or “final notice.”

Some messages say your address is incomplete. Some say your package is on hold. Some ask you to pay a small redelivery fee. Almost all of them want you to click a link.

The link is where the scam starts doing damage. It can lead to a fake USPS-looking page. It can ask for personal info, payment details, or login credentials. It can also lead to more scams later.

Common Lines You Might See

• “We could not deliver your package.”
• “Your address is incomplete. Update now.”
• “Your package is on hold. Confirm details.”
• “Final notice before return to sender.”
• “Pay a small redelivery fee to release your package.”

Some texts come from random phone numbers. Others come from spoofed numbers that look official. A message can look polished and still be fake. That is why checks matter more than appearance.

How The Scam Works Step By Step

The scam is designed to feel quick. Each step pushes you to act before you double-check.

Step 1: A random text hits your phone

Scammers send these messages in bulk. Your number could be pulled from a leaked list or guessed at random. They do not need personal details to start. They only need you to be curious.

Step 2: The message creates urgency

The text warns about delays or returns. It makes the problem feel time-sensitive. That pressure is meant to stop you from thinking. It also pushes you toward the link.

Step 3: You tap the link

The link opens a page that looks like a delivery site. Logos and colors may be copied. The goal is to keep you moving forward.

Concrete example of what the link can look like
Scam links often use look-alike domains that feel “close enough” at a glance. For example:

• usps-tracking-help(.)com
• uspsdelivery-status(.)xyz

Even if it “looks right,” treat it as suspicious and avoid it.

Step 4: The page asks for “verification”

This is where they collect what they want. The page may ask for your name, address, and phone number. It may ask for card details for a small fee. Some versions also ask for email logins or one-time codes.

Concrete example of what the fake page asks for

• A common setup is a form that says something like:
• Confirm name and address
• Enter phone number and email
• Pay a small “redelivery” fee using a card

That flow is a giveaway. Real carriers do not need your card details through a surprise text page.

Step 5: They use what you gave them 

Card info can be charged. Personal info can be used in other fraud attempts. Logins can lead to account takeovers. One click can lead to several problems later.

How To Spot A Fake USPS Package Text Fast

Start with one question. Did you sign up for USPS tracking texts for a specific package? If you did not, treat it as suspicious.

Next, look at what the text is asking for. Real tracking does not require surprise links. Real delivery services do not ask for card payment through random texts. Those are strong warning signs.

Quick Red Flags To Watch For

• No tracking number that matches your real order
• Pressure words like "now,” “final” or “urgent”
• Requests for payment to “release” a package
• Requests for personal info through a text link
• Strange spelling or odd spacing

One red flag is enough to pause. Two or more should be a hard stop. When you are unsure, use your own path to check tracking. Type the carrier site yourself or open your store order page.

Some people also use a reverse phone lookup to check the number that sent the text. If the result shows a random mobile line, a foreign pattern, or no clear owner details, treat that as another warning sign.

Still, do not click the link since a spoofed number can look normal even when the text is fake.

What To Do When You Get One

If you are expecting a delivery, check it the safe way. Open the store app where you placed the order. Use the tracking number from your receipt email. Type the carrier site into your browser yourself.

Safe Steps You Can Follow Every Time

1. Do not tap the link.
2. Do not reply to the text.
3. Check your order using your own trusted source.
4. Delete the message.
5. Report or block the sender if your phone allows it.

These steps take under a minute. They also break the scam flow. That is what matters most.

TL;DR

USPS smishing texts are back because the scam still fits real life. Many of us are ordering something every week, so a “delivery problem” sounds normal. Scammers use that normal feeling to get one thing from you. They want you to tap the link before you stop to check.

Treat every surprise package text like a pop quiz. Pause for 10 seconds and ask one question. Did you request text updates for a real tracking number you recognize? If the answer is no, delete it and move on.

Use a safer habit that never changes. Check your package status through your store order page, your receipt email, or the carrier site you type into your browser. Never pay a fee from a random text page. 

If you want, report the message to help slow down the next wave.