A fake USPS “package on hold” text claims your parcel is stuck because of an incomplete address or unpaid fee, and pushes you to tap a link to a look-alike website that steals your card and personal details. The US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) says you should not click, and should report such texts by emailing spam@uspis.gov and forwarding the message to 7726.
The warning matters beyond America too: many Indians receive parcels from US relatives, shop on US websites or work with US clients, and the same trick is used with Indian couriers. This guide is based on information from USPIS, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the FCC, as of November 13, 2026.
Quick facts: USPS delivery text scam
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is it? | “Smishing” (phishing by SMS) that impersonates the United States Postal Service |
| How it works | A text claims a delivery problem and links to a fake site that collects personal or financial information |
| Typical bait | Incomplete address, unpaid postage, missed delivery, small “redelivery fee” |
| Who is behind it | Scammers posing as USPS; the text is not from the Postal Service |
| Report USPS-related texts | Email spam@uspis.gov with a screenshot, then forward the text to 7726 |
| Report to the FTC | ReportFraud.ftc.gov |
| Safest check | Type usps.com yourself or use the retailer’s order page; never use the link in the text |
How do fake USPS “package on hold” texts work?
According to the Postal Inspection Service, the scam is simple: someone texts that your USPS package cannot be delivered because information is missing. The criminals want personal details such as account usernames and passwords, Social Security numbers, dates of birth and card numbers, the agency says.
The FTC explains what happens after the tap. The link takes you to a look-alike of a real website, where you are told to enter personal or financial information. If you pay, the money, your card number, name and address go straight to the scammer. In its 2024 data, the FTC said many people reported paying a small “redelivery fee” that was really a trick to get their credit card or even Social Security number.
The scam works because almost everyone is expecting a parcel during the festive shopping season. The FTC’s data spotlight named fake package delivery problems, usually from someone pretending to be USPS, as the most reported text scam of 2024. The FTC also said overall consumer losses to text scams reached $470 million that year (roughly ₹39,000 crore at about ₹83 per dollar; the exchange rate is an approximation).
How can you spot a fake USPS text?
The USPIS rule is the simplest test. USPS does not send text messages or emails unless you first asked for tracking with a tracking number, and those messages do not contain a link. So an unrequested text with a link is a red flag.
- You never requested tracking. If you did not sign up or start a text with a tracking number, treat the message as suspect.
- It asks for money. The FTC says the real USPS will not demand payment to redeliver a package.
- It carries a strange link. The FCC notes the USPIS alert describes texts with a non-Postal Service web link to click.
- It creates urgency. Threats that the parcel will be returned to the sender are a pressure tactic the FTC has flagged in holiday-season alerts.
- It asks for sensitive data. Card numbers, passwords or ID numbers are never needed to “release” a parcel.
- Newer twists. The FCC warns scammers now also claim a package is stuck in customs or needs a tariff payment.
Poor spelling can be a clue, but AARP cautions that AI tools are making scam messages more polished, so do not rely on grammar alone.
Where do you report a USPS delivery text scam?
- Without clicking the link, copy the text into a new email to spam@uspis.gov.
- Add your name and attach a screenshot showing the sender’s number and the date sent.
- Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM), which helps report the scam number.
- File a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, especially if you shared details or lost money.
- Delete the message. The USPIS also lists the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) among agencies that take such complaints.
USPIS says it will contact you if it needs more information. The official pages are at uspis.gov and consumer.ftc.gov.
What this means for you
If you are in India, the 7726 shortcode and US agencies are meant for US phone users, so they may not work for you. The habits still apply. Do not tap links in unexpected courier messages, check your order only on the shop’s app or the courier’s official website, and never enter card details to “release” a parcel. For Indian numbers, you can report cyber fraud at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930, and if you shared card details, call your bank at once to block the card. These India-specific steps come from the standard national cyber-crime reporting channels and were not part of the US sources above.
If you did click, the FTC’s general advice is to avoid entering anything further. If you already shared your Social Security number, the FTC points US victims to IdentityTheft.gov.
FAQ: USPS delivery text scam
Does USPS send text messages about packages?
Only if you first requested tracking with a tracking number, and USPIS says such messages will not contain a link. An unrequested text with a link is a scam.
Does USPS charge a redelivery fee by text?
No. The FTC says the real USPS will not demand payment to redeliver a package. A text asking for a fee is a scam.
How do I check if my parcel is real?
Ignore the link. Go to the online shop or account where you ordered and look up tracking there, as the FTC advises, or visit USPS.com yourself.
What does 7726 do?
Forwarding a scam text to 7726 helps report the sender’s phone number, according to USPIS and the FTC. It is a US shortcode.
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