UPS urgent notice text scam: how to tell it's fake
Quick answer
A text that claims an urgent UPS notice, a package waiting or an account about to be suspended is a scam. UPS says fake messages ask for personal details or a payment and may carry malware links. Don't tap the link. Check tracking on UPS's own site and report it.
- Pretends to be
- UPS
- Last updated
How it works
Scammers pretend to be UPS. UPS's fraud page says these messages generally claim a package is waiting for delivery, then ask for personal information or a payment in advance. Others say your account needs updating, or ask for a copy of a UPS invoice.
The urgent wording is deliberate. UPS lists alarming, time-pressured language as a sign of fraud, for example a warning that your account will be suspended within 24 hours.
The link in the text can lead to a fake website or carry malware. If UPS really contacts you about a parcel, UPS says its representative will always be able to give you a tracking number that you can check on its website.
Red flags
- An urgent notice or a warning that you have 24 hours
- A package you aren't expecting, or no tracking number at all
- A link and a request for a fee or card details
- A request for personal information, an account update or an invoice copy
- A sender that isn't a normal UPS channel
- Pressure to reply or tap straight away
Example message
UPS: Urgent notice. Your parcel could not be delivered because the address is incomplete. Confirm your details and pay the small redelivery fee at [link] or it will be returned.
What to do
- 1
Don't tap the link or reply
UPS says that if you are unsure about a text, don't click any links or open any attachments, because they may contain a virus.
- 2
Check tracking yourself
If you're expecting a parcel, find the tracking number in your order confirmation and look it up on UPS's own website or app. Don't give tracking numbers to unknown parties.
- 3
If you paid a fee
Call the number on the back of your card, say it was fraud and ask the issuer to dispute the charge and replace the card.
- 4
If you entered personal details
Change the passwords involved, watch your accounts and see IdentityTheft.gov. Our guide on what to do after a data breach lists the steps.
- 5
Report it
Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) and report it to the FTC. UPS also asks you to alert it through its fraud page.
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
Scam texts go to numbers that scammers already have, and they match a parcel story to people who really shop online. Phone numbers and addresses from people-search sites and data breaches make that easy. Serus finds the data brokers and people-search sites that list your name, address and phone number and sends the removal requests, and it alerts you when your details show up in a breach, so fewer scammers can reach you.
More UPS scams
Frequently asked
Does UPS send texts about packages?
UPS does contact customers about parcels, but it says a UPS representative will always be able to give you a tracking number you can verify on its website. Check the number yourself rather than using a link.
Is UPS a scam?
No. Scammers pretend to be UPS. UPS publishes a fraud page that explains how to recognize these messages.
I tapped the link but entered nothing. Do I need to do anything?
Close the page, don't enter anything and watch your accounts. UPS warns that links in these texts may contain malware, so update your phone's software.
Where do I report a UPS text scam?
Report it to UPS through its fraud page, forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) and report it to the FTC.
Sources
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