UPS reschedule delivery scam texts: how to tell it's fake
Quick answer
A text or email saying your UPS delivery failed and asking you to click to reschedule, or to pay a small fee, is a scam. Don't click. Track your package from the retailer's site or UPS directly, then report the message and delete it.
- Pretends to be
- UPS
- Last updated
How it works
Scammers pretend to be UPS, a company that is a victim here, not a party to it. You get a text or email saying a delivery attempt failed or your package is on hold, with a link to "reschedule" it.
The FTC says the link leads to a look-alike of a real website that asks for personal or financial information. Often there's a small "redelivery fee" to pay, which is really a way to collect your card number. In many cases there is no package at all.
UPS says it doesn't ask for payments, personal or financial information, account numbers or passwords in unsolicited emails, mail, calls or faxes. It also says only a few packages need money at delivery (collect on delivery, duties or taxes), and that tracking your package is the safest way to see if anything is owed.
Red flags
- A message about a delivery you weren't expecting, or from a carrier you didn't use
- Pressure to act fast or the package will be returned
- A link to reschedule, or a request to pay a small fee
- A link address that's a variation on the real carrier site, with odd spelling or numbers
- A generic greeting, typos or a sender address you don't recognize
Example message
UPS: Your package could not be delivered because the address was incomplete. Reschedule your delivery within 24 hours at [link] or it will be returned.
What to do
- 1
Don't click or reply
Skip the link, don't call any number in the message and don't reply, even with STOP.
- 2
Check the package another way
Open the site or account you ordered from, or go to UPS in a new browser window, and look up the tracking number there.
- 3
If you entered card details
Call your card issuer using the number on the card, say it was fraud and ask for a new card. Watch your statements.
- 4
If you entered a password or personal details
Change that password everywhere you use it and turn on two-step verification. Consider a credit freeze if you gave your Social Security number.
- 5
Report and delete
Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM), report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, then delete and block the sender.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
These texts go out in bulk, but scammers do better when they have your real name, number and address. Data brokers and people-search sites sell that, and breaches leak it. Serus finds the brokers that list your phone number and address and removes them, and alerts you when your details appear in a breach, so fewer scammers can reach you.
More UPS scams
Frequently asked
Does UPS text to ask for a redelivery fee?
UPS says it doesn't request payments or personal information in unsolicited messages. Only collect on delivery, duties or taxes may require payment, and tracking shows whether any is due.
What if I was expecting a UPS package?
Still don't use the link. Track it from the retailer's site or by opening UPS yourself.
How can I check a link without clicking?
On a computer, hovering over it shows the real destination. UPS says to be suspicious of altered spellings, numbers in place of letters and mismatched addresses.
I clicked but entered nothing. Am I safe?
Probably, but close the page, don't enter anything later and run a security scan if your device behaves oddly.
Sources
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