FedEx & UPS Delivery Scam: How the Fake Parcel Seizure Fraud Works

"Your package has been seized by customs due to illegal contents. Call this number immediately to avoid arrest." If you received a call or text like this, you are the target of one of the fastest-growing scams worldwide. In the US alone, the FTC reported that delivery-related impersonation scams caused over $300 million in losses in 2025.

With online shopping at an all-time high, scammers know that most people are expecting a package at any given time — making delivery scams incredibly effective.

How the Scam Works

Stage 1: The Initial Contact

Scammers reach out via:

• Automated phone call (robocall) claiming to be FedEx, UPS, or DHL
• Text message with a fake tracking link
• Email mimicking official delivery notifications

The message creates urgency: your package is being held, returned, or contains illegal items.

Stage 2: The Hook

Once you engage, the scam escalates:

Method	What They Claim
Phone call	Your parcel contains drugs or counterfeit goods
Text/SMS	Delivery failed — click to reschedule
Email	Pay a small customs fee to release your package

Stage 3: The Extraction

• Phone scams: You are transferred to a fake "law enforcement officer" who demands payment to clear your name
• Text scams: The link leads to a phishing site that steals login credentials or installs malware
• Email scams: You are asked to enter credit card info for a small "redelivery fee"

Real vs. Fake: How to Tell

Real Delivery Notice	Scam
Comes from official app or email domain	Comes from random number or spoofed email
Includes tracking number you recognize	Generic — no specific package details
Directs to official website	Uses shortened URLs or lookalike domains
Never asks for payment by phone	Demands payment via gift cards, wire, or crypto
Never threatens arrest	Uses fear and urgency to prevent clear thinking

Types of Delivery Scams

1. Missed Delivery Text

"USPS: Your package could not be delivered. Reschedule here: usps-redelivery-xxx.com"

The link leads to a phishing site designed to steal your personal information.

2. Customs Fee Email

"DHL: Your international shipment requires a customs payment of $4.99."

A small amount makes it seem legitimate, but the payment page captures your full card details.

3. Package Seizure Phone Call

"This is FedEx. A package registered to your Social Security number has been intercepted. Press 1 to speak with an agent."

This is the most sophisticated variant — scammers may keep you on the phone for hours.

4. Fake Delivery App

A text asks you to install a "tracking app" that is actually malware capable of reading your texts, accessing your contacts, and stealing banking credentials.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Never click links in delivery texts — go directly to the carrier's official website or app
2. Verify with the tracking number — enter it on the official site, not through any link
3. No legitimate carrier will call about illegal contents — if they did, law enforcement would contact you in person
4. Never pay by gift card, wire transfer, or crypto — these are irreversible payment methods scammers prefer
5. Report suspicious messages — forward texts to 7726 (SPAM), report calls to the FTC

If You Have Been Scammed

1. Contact your bank immediately to dispute charges or freeze your account
2. Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
3. File a report with IC3 (FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center)
4. Change passwords on any accounts that may be compromised
5. Monitor your credit — consider a credit freeze

Protect Your Sensitive Information

One reason these scams succeed is that people are accustomed to sharing personal information — addresses, phone numbers, account details — through unencrypted channels like text messages and email.

LOCK.PUB lets you create password-protected, encrypted memos for sharing sensitive information. Instead of texting your address or account details in plain text via iMessage or Messenger, use an encrypted link that only the intended recipient can access.

Build the habit of questioning every delivery notification. Real carriers will never threaten you, never demand immediate payment over the phone, and never ask for your Social Security number. When in doubt, hang up and check directly through the official website.