USPS delivery scam texts are among the most reported SMS phishing attacks in the United States. Scammers send millions of fake USPS messages every day, knowing that many recipients are genuinely expecting packages. If you received a text claiming to be from the United States Postal Service about a delivery, a failed attempt, or a customs fee, here is how to verify whether it is real.
Check a Message Now →USPS smishing (SMS phishing) scams typically claim there is a problem with a package delivery. The most common variants include: a message saying your package could not be delivered and you must reschedule via a link; a message claiming you owe a small customs or handling fee (often $1–$3) to release your package; a message stating your tracking number is invalid and you must verify your address to receive delivery. The links in these messages lead to convincing fake USPS websites that capture your personal information and, in the fee-payment cases, your credit card number. The actual USPS website is usps.com — any other domain used in a text claiming to be USPS is fraudulent.
Real USPS notifications have specific characteristics. They come from 28777 (the official USPS shortcode) or from email addresses ending in @usps.com. Real USPS texts about packages include your actual tracking number — a 22-digit number starting with 9. They do not ask for payment by text. Red flags in scam messages include: no tracking number or a short fake number, a link to a domain other than usps.com (common fakes include usps-delivery.com, usps-tracking-help.net, us-postal.com), a request for credit card information or a delivery fee, urgent language about a package being 'held' or 'returned' unless you act immediately. The USPS will not cancel or return a package simply because you did not click a text link — this framing is entirely a scam tactic.
If you received a suspicious USPS text: do not click the link. If you are expecting a package, go directly to tools.usps.com and enter your tracking number there — never use the link from the text. If you already clicked the link and provided information, place a fraud alert on your credit file by contacting one of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). If you provided payment card information, contact your bank immediately to flag the transaction and request a new card. Report the scam text by forwarding it to 7726 (SPAM) and to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it directly to the USPS Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455.
Paste the full text of any USPS-related message into our AI checker above. The tool analyzes the message for key scam signals: whether 'USPS' or 'postal service' appears alongside a suspicious link, whether there is a fee request, whether urgency language is present, and whether the link domain matches usps.com. Messages mentioning USPS with a non-usps.com link and a payment request will almost always receive a 'Likely Scam' verdict. Genuine USPS package notifications with a real tracking number and no payment request will score low on the risk scale. The tool processes your message instantly and privately — nothing is stored.
Learn about SMS scams impersonating other trusted brands: