USPS Scam Text: How to Spot Fake USPS Package Texts (2025)

The USPS scam text is among the most common smishing attacks in America — and one of the most effective, because most Americans genuinely receive packages regularly and have real reason to expect USPS notifications. The scam impersonates the United States Postal Service to deliver a fake delivery failure notification, prompting victims to click a link that captures their personal information or payment card details.

USPS itself has issued multiple public warnings about this scam and has a dedicated fraud reporting mechanism specifically for text impersonation.

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What USPS Scam Texts Look Like

The Delivery Failure Notice

“USPS: We were unable to deliver your package. Please reschedule your delivery: [link]”

“USPS Alert: Your package has been held at our facility. Confirm your delivery address to proceed: [link]”

The Fee Required Variant

“USPS: Your package is being held pending payment of a $3.30 customs clearance fee. Pay now to avoid return: [link]”

Small fees are used deliberately — $2, $3, or $4 — because they feel plausible and not alarming enough to trigger skepticism.

The Tracking Update Scam

“USPS: Your package tracking number [fake number] has been updated. View delivery status: [link]”

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How to Know If a USPS Text Is Real or Fake

Real USPS texts come from 28777 (the official USPS short code) or other official USPS short codes. A random 10-digit number is not USPS.

USPS Informed Delivery texts use specific short codes and only notify users who have signed up for the service. If you haven’t enrolled in USPS Informed Delivery, you should not receive USPS delivery notifications by text.

The real USPS website is usps.com. Any link in a text that doesn’t go to usps.com is fraudulent. The USPS never requests credit card payment through a text link.

You can verify any package: go directly to usps.com and use the official tracking tool with your actual tracking number. If no package is being held, the text was a scam.

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What to Do and How to Report

Do not click any links or call any numbers in the text.

Verify through usps.com directly if you’re expecting a package.

Report USPS smishing:

The USPS has a dedicated smishing report email: spam@uspis.gov (U.S. Postal Inspection Service).

Also forward to 7726 (SPAM) and report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

If you entered payment information: Contact your bank immediately.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does USPS send text messages?

A: Yes — USPS Informed Delivery sends legitimate text and email notifications to users who have enrolled. These texts come from official USPS short codes and do not ask you to pay fees or enter personal information through a link.

Q: I got a text with a real-looking tracking number. Is it still a scam?

A: Yes. Tracking numbers are easy to fabricate. A convincing-looking tracking number does not confirm the text is from USPS. Verify by entering the number at usps.com directly — if it returns no result or a result that doesn’t match what the text claims, it is a scam.

→ Back to Pillar: https://www.scammed.org/text-scams/