How to Tell If a USPS Text Is a Scam: 15 Warning Signs You Need to Know
Your phone buzzes. A text message says "USPS: Your package cannot be delivered due to incomplete address information. Please click here to update within 24 hours to avoid return to sender."
You are expecting a package. You ordered something online last week. Your finger hovers over the link. But something stops you. The sender is a random phone number. The link looks strange.
Learning how to tell if a USPS text is a scam could save you from having your credit card stolen, your identity compromised, or your device infected with malware. This is closely related to the broader guide on how to tell if a text message is a scam, where all the same core principles apply.
How USPS Text Scams Work
- The redelivery fee scam. A text says your package cannot be delivered because a small fee is required. The link leads to a fake USPS page that asks for your credit card.
- The address update scam. A text says your package cannot be delivered due to an incomplete address. The link asks for your name, address, and personal information for identity theft.
- The tracking link scam. A text with a tracking link leads to a fake USPS page that installs malware or steals your information.
- The customs fee scam. A text says your international package is being held due to unpaid customs fees. The link leads to a fake payment page.
- The missed delivery scam. A text says a delivery was attempted but no one was home. You need to click a link to schedule redelivery.
15 Signs of a Fake USPS Text
If you notice several of these fake USPS text signs, do not click anything. Verify first.
1. The text comes from a regular phone number, not a short code
USPS uses short codes like 28777 for their official text messages. If the text comes from a regular 10-digit phone number or an international number, it is almost certainly a scam.
2. The message creates urgency or panic
"Act within 24 hours or your package will be returned to sender." Scammers use urgency to stop you from thinking. Real USPS does not threaten to destroy your package via text.
3. The message asks you to click a link
USPS will never send an unexpected link asking you to update your address, pay a fee, or verify your identity. Learn how to check if a link is suspicious before clicking anything.
4. The link address is not usps.com
Press and hold the link on your phone. Look at the actual destination. Scammers use links like usps-delivery-update.xyz or usps.com.verify-login.net. If it does not go to usps.com, it is a scam.
5. The message asks for personal information
"Please enter your full name and address. Verify your identity by providing your Social Security number." USPS will never ask for personal information via text message.
6. The message asks for money
"A redelivery fee of $3.99 is required." USPS does not charge redelivery fees. If a text asks for money, it is a scam.
7. The message has spelling or grammar errors
Real USPS messages are professionally written. Scam texts often have typos, odd capitalization, or strange word choices. "USPS package cannot delivered cause address wrong."
8. The message uses a generic greeting
"Dear customer." "Dear user." Real USPS messages do not use generic greetings. If you have signed up for tracking, they reference the specific tracking number.
9. You were not expecting a package
This is a major red flag. If you did not order anything recently, any package delivery text is automatically suspect.
10. The tracking number is missing or fake
Real USPS tracking texts include a tracking number. Fake texts often have no tracking number or a number that does not work when entered on the USPS website.
11. The message asks you to reply
"Please reply with your full name." Legitimate USPS messages do not ask you to reply with personal information.
12. The message claims your package is being held
"Your package is being held at the local post office due to unpaid fees." Check the status directly on the USPS website. Do not use the link in the text.
13. The sender number appears suspicious
Some scam texts come from numbers with unusual country codes or random strings of digits. Some even come from email addresses.
14. The message has a fake USPS logo
Some scam texts include an image with a fake USPS logo. But the logo may be slightly off, pixelated, or poorly designed.
15. Your gut says something is wrong
You have received real USPS tracking texts before. You know what they look like. If something feels off, do not click anything. Go directly to the USPS website yourself.
What Does a USPS Scam Text Look Like? Real Examples
The Address Update Scam
"USPS: Your package cannot be delivered due to incomplete address information. Please update your address within 24 hours to avoid return to sender. https://usps-addressupdate.net" — The sender is a regular 10-digit number. The link does not go to usps.com. The message creates urgency.
The Redelivery Fee Scam
"USPS: Your package is pending at the local depot. A redelivery fee of $3.99 is required to complete delivery. Please pay here: https://usps-redelivery-payment.com" — USPS does not charge redelivery fees. The link is suspicious.
The Customs Fee Scam
"USPS: Your international package is being held in customs. An unpaid fee of $12.50 must be paid for release. Click here to pay: https://usps-customs-fee.net" — The link does not go to usps.com. This asks for money.
How to Verify a Suspicious USPS Message
Before acting on any USPS text, verify suspicious messages before you reply using these methods.
- Check the sender number. USPS uses short codes like 28777. If the text comes from a regular 10-digit number, it is almost certainly a scam.
- Do not click the link. Open a new browser tab. Type usps.com directly. Use the official USPS tracking tool with your tracking number from your order confirmation.
- Hover over or press-hold the link. Look at the full address. Does it go to usps.com? If not, do not click.
- Check your order confirmation. It will have the correct tracking number and a link to the carrier's real website.
- Scan the text and link with AuthentiLens. Paste the message text and the link into AuthentiLens. The tool analyzes the link without you clicking it and tells you if it is dangerous, suspicious, or safe.
How to Avoid USPS Text Scams
Never click links in unexpected texts claiming to be from USPS. Never pay fees requested via text message. Never reply with personal information. Check the sender number. Go directly to the USPS website yourself. For the full picture of common online scam tactics including smishing, see that guide.
What to Do If You Clicked a Fake USPS Text
- If you entered credit card information, contact your bank immediately and ask for a new card.
- If you entered your Social Security number, place a fraud alert on your credit reports.
- If you entered your address or other personal information, monitor your credit reports for identity theft.
- If the link downloaded anything to your device, run a security scan.
- Report the scam text to USPS. Forward the text to spam@uspis.gov.
- Delete the text message.
FAQ
How can I tell if a USPS text is a scam?
Check the sender number. USPS uses short codes. Look for urgency, requests to click a link, requests for money or personal information, and spelling errors. Go directly to USPS.com instead of clicking any link.
How do I spot a package delivery text scam?
The text creates urgency, asks you to click a link, may ask for a redelivery fee or address update, comes from a non-USPS short code, and the link does not go to usps.com.
What should I do if I clicked a fake USPS text?
Contact your bank if you entered credit card information. Place a fraud alert if you entered your Social Security number. Run a security scan on your device. Report the scam to USPS. Delete the text.
What is the most important rule for avoiding USPS text scams?
Do not click links in unexpected text messages. If you are expecting a package, go directly to USPS.com yourself. Never use the link in the text.
Scan Before You Trust
USPS text scams are designed to trick you. They create urgency. They want you to click before you think. Do not let them win.
Before you click any link in a USPS text, pause. Check the sender. Go directly to USPS.com. And when you are unsure, scan it.