Fake USPS "Package Can't Be Delivered" Texts
Category
Text and QR Code
Affects
Residents and businesses
Status
Ongoing
Source
Community reported and U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Text messages that appear to come from USPS say a package cannot be delivered or that delivery needs a response from you, and ask you to follow a link and confirm personal information. The Postal Inspection Service calls this smishing. The links lead to fake sites that collect logins, card numbers, and other sensitive information, or that can install malware. Reno residents report getting these texts, and the same trick is used with other carriers.
How it works
- An unsolicited text says a package is on hold, an address is incomplete, or a fee is needed, and includes a link.
- The link opens a look-alike delivery page that asks for your address, card details for a small redelivery fee, or account logins.
- The collected details are used for card fraud, account takeover, or identity theft.
Red flags
- USPS says it will not send texts or emails about a package unless you first asked for tracking updates with a tracking number, and those messages will not contain a link.
- You are not expecting a package, or the text has no tracking number you recognize.
- A request for a fee, card number, Social Security number, or password to release a package.
- Urgency, misspellings, or a link that is not a usps.com address.
What to do
- Do not tap the link or reply. Delete the text.
- To check on a real package, type usps.com into your browser yourself and enter the tracking number there.
- Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM). To report a USPS-themed text, email the message text or a screenshot to spam@uspis.gov, and file at reportfraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov.
- If you entered card or login details, call your card issuer, change the password on any account that shares it, and consider a credit freeze.
Already paid or shared information? See the step-by-step checklist and the list of places to report. You can also report to the FTC or the FBI IC3.
From our blog
Holiday Package Text Scams: The Fake "Failed Delivery" Text That Spikes Every Holiday Season
Sources
U.S. Postal Inspection Service: Smishing and package tracking text scams (updated May 2025) · USPS: Scams and scheme alerts
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Posted solely for community awareness. This is not an official government or law enforcement notice, and High Sierra Cyber is not affiliated with any agency named here. Board last updated October 10, 2026. Details, phone numbers, and policies change, so confirm with the official agency before acting. Submitted reports are unverified. General information only, not legal or financial advice.