Protect Yourself from Package Delivery Scams: Tips to Identify, Avoid, and Act

Package delivery has become an essential element of modern life, with estimates that the global delivery market will generate over $118 billion of growth from 2024 to 2028. Estimates of this size reflect the global attitude toward package deliveries—they’ll only become more of a necessity as time goes on. However, where consumers see necessity, scammers see opportunity. 

Package scams typically begin with a scammer obtaining someone’s contact information; they can then send their victim fraudulent, mildly threatening messages, usually about some non-existent delivery. These scams ramp up during the holidays and big online sales events when consumers will most likely not track their online spending. Learn the most common package scam tactics, how they work, how to identify them, and what to do if you fall victim to them below.

What Are Package Delivery Scams?

Package delivery scams, also called shipping scams, come in various types. They typically include stealing personal details, gaining access to financial information, or even stealing physical packages once they’ve been delivered. However, these scammers are most commonly after personal details and financial account access. 

In some cases, scammers contact their victims pretending to be delivery services. These contacts can be text messages, emails, or calls to the victim’s cell phone. For example, when these scammers impersonate a delivery service and text their victim, it is usually a time-sensitive message that contains a short, suspicious-looking link. 

If the victim opens the link, it may take them to a fake page to submit their information (in exchange for more details on their “missing” package), or they could be releasing malware onto their device the moment they tap the link. Other times, they could trick their victim into paying a fee to receive their “package.” Either way, the scammers who use package deliveries to trick their victims are everywhere; here are their most common tactics.

Common Tactics Used in Package Scams

What red flags should you spot early on when package scammers are trying to attack you? Here are some:

Phishing Emails and Fake Delivery Notifications

Phishing emails are so-called because scammers lure victims into sharing personal and financial information. Like the text message example above, these phishing attacks are typically targeted events, with the scammer completing research on their target before ever contacting them. However, these scams are also easily recognizable, either by the existence of a random short link or by the poor grammar and timing of the messages.

Fake Delivery Companies or Impersonations of Major Couriers

Often, if a scammer is impersonating a major courier—like FedEx, USPS, or UPS—they’ll say in their message that they are the courier. Never mind that these couriers rarely, if ever, message their clients directly. Consumers who receive messages from people claiming to be these services must avoid interacting with the message itself; instead, go online and check the information through your account. Don’t have an account or tracking number to use to verify the claimed information? It’s a scam.

Porch Piracy and Package Theft

As mentioned above, package scams also have a physical form. ‘Porch piracy’ has become the most widely used term associated with these schemes, as some scammers physically steal packages from the front doors of their victims. In contrast, others might steal the package before it enters the delivery line. These scams are harder for consumers to avoid, as they happen without the consumer’s influence. Despite this, technology like tracking details and video cameras can help to deter most physical threats.

Demands for Payment of Unexpected Fees

Other scammers might wait until the holidays come around to launch their schemes. Scammers looking for quick cash only need a consumer’s phone number and a short link to get what they want. The scheme typically involves the scammer guessing that the victim has recently ordered something online—if they have, the consumer is more likely to follow the scammer’s request to pay unexpected fees to have ‘the package delivered.’

How Does a Parcel Delivery Scam Work?

Parcel delivery scamming starts online, where the overseeing actor can collect information about their potential victim and purchasing habits. The scammer can then use these details to determine whether the victim will likely have recently purchased things online for a personal event or a holiday. After the scammer makes this determination, they can create a malicious link; these are generally malicious in that they redirect the victim to a web page meant to impersonate an authentic courier, but there are times when these links are also aggressive and insidious. 

If the scammer can trick the victim into clicking the link they send, the possibility of their scheme succeeding is magnified. The victim has already trusted them enough to interact with their message—they can very easily build further rapport, manipulating the victim into sharing personal and financial details. Once the scammer has the details they want, they have two options: continue the relationship with the victim by continuing to ‘wait’ for this missing package or cut their ties and run without further explanation. Most package scammers of the latter type disappear once they have what they want.

How To Identify Package Delivery Scams

In most cases, you will notice some common patterns in scammers’ behavior, which can be a good reason to be extra cautious. 

Grammar and Spelling Errors

Emails, texts, and other communications from scammers have many identifying features; if consumers learn these signs, they can quickly parse and remove these threats before they become massive issues. One of the surest ways to determine if the communication you’ve received is authentic is by reviewing the grammar and spelling of the message itself. US-based couriers will never have incorrect grammar or spelling; they will always use proper punctuation and capitalization conventions.

Urgent or Threatening Language

Besides reviewing the communication for grammar and spelling errors, consider what the message conveys. A well-known symptom of scams is vague language that seems urgent or threatening toward the potential victim. Regarding package delivery scams, this may look like “your package will be returned unless you act” or “this is your final reminder to collect your missed package.” These messages are immediate indicators that something suspicious is happening, and consumers should use caution if they choose to interact with the sender.

Suspicious Sender Addresses or Links

No one would trust a random letter requesting a check, so why would they trust a suspicious link sent from an unfamiliar sender? A victim could recognize grammar and spelling errors, but if they are overly concerned with missing an important package, they may still fall for clicking on the scammer’s link. The best rule of thumb for these communications is to avoid it altogether if it involves an unsolicited link. 

How To Avoid Falling Victim to Package Delivery Scams

Protect yourself with the below preventive measures; make it a habit always to question any notifications or messages you get. 

Best Practices for Online Shopping

Amazon is great for those necessities, but those looking for a more eclectic experience are destined to venture beyond the rainforest. The internet brims with purchasing options, which, on the one hand, offer great options for gifts and needs but, on the other hand, open the consumer to potential financial and informational threats. Consumers, then, must take the time to verify the legitimacy of the sellers and websites they frequent before they purchase anything. Consumers should speak with their financial institutions about credit cards with built-in fraud protections. 

Protecting Against Fake Notifications

As mentioned throughout this article, fake notifications are a massive concern for consumers. These messages are typically unsolicited and usually request that the potential victim verify some information with the supposed courier. These links often redirect to fake web pages that encourage the victim to share their personal and financial information. Consumers can avoid these traps altogether by never opening or interacting with unsolicited messages, outside of deleting them and blocking the sender.

Securing Your Packages

As for physical package delivery scam prevention, consumers are best protected by requesting signature-required deliveries and other delivery option securities. Even if signature-based options are unavailable, consumers can use P.O. boxes, lock boxes, and recording porch cameras to prevent scams. In some areas, consumers may also be able to redirect deliveries to safe locations; either way, by taking extra precautions, consumers can prevent many potential scams.

What To Do If You’re Been Targeted by a Package Scam

What’s your plan to minimize and overcome the damage quickly after discovering a package scam? 

Report Suspicious Emails or Texts to the Courier Office

Consumers who receive suspicious emails and texts should notify the courier office. Fraud officials may be called to further investigate the situation depending on the information in the message. Consumers should also consider notifying the Better Business Bureau via their online Scam Tracker and the FBI’s online criminal complaint tool. 

Freeze Your Credit or Monitor Your Accounts for Unusual Activity

Those who have given information to scammers should also consider steps to protect themselves. If the victim shared personal details, enlist account monitoring tools and dark web scanners to notify you if the information appears. Otherwise, if the victim shares credit information, freeze your credit; that will stop malicious actors from misusing your information to get what they want.

Change Passwords and Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Finally, consumers should take the time to change their passwords and enable multi-factor authentications across their accounts. Accounts that use strong password algorithms have superior defenses against bad actors, but without additional verification steps, they aren’t fully protected from online threats. Multi-factor authentication is fast becoming the base level of security for personal accounts, so those consumers who don’t use it are becoming targets for identity theft and financial fraud.  

Package delivery has been part of our world for decades, but scammers have only recently begun abusing the system they helped create. Skeptical consumers know that if they can identify a scammer through their messages, they can avoid many of the dangers of interacting with them—but unsuspecting consumers will need more help. Learning to identify and avoid these schemes will go far in preventing much of the damage these bad actors can cause; it just takes a bit of vigilance and a few security tools.