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Expecting packages shipped to your home this holiday season? You’re not the only one… scammers are, too.

Did you get a text message with a shipment tracking code and a link to update your delivery preferences? It's a scam. Learn more.

We’ve learned of a phony “delivery failure notification” email making the rounds. It looks like it’s from the U.S. Postal Service — but it’s not. The email says you missed a delivery. But, it says, if you print the attached form and take it to your local post office, you can pick up your package and avoid penalties. The message might also include a link for more details.

Here’s the truth: the email is bogus and there is no package. And if you download the attachment or click on a link, you’re likely to end up with a virus or malware on your device.

Con artists often use the names and logos of familiar organizations to get under your guard. So how do you tell what’s legit and what’s a scam? Here are some ways to spot a bogus email:

  • It tells you to click on a link or download an attachment
  • It urges you to take immediate action
  • It asks you to “re-confirm” personal or financial information

Another sure sign an email is a scam? If you hover over the link in the email, it won’t show the official website of the supposed sender — in this case, the U.S. Postal Service website.

For more tips, check out our articles on phishing and malware. And if you have questions about a delivery by the U.S. Postal Service, visit usps.com or call 1-800-ASK-USPS.

It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.

The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

Ivy
November 01, 2021
This November 1,2021 expect date delivery my boyfriend diplomatic luggage. Ut tje problem someone calling me need to payment 25 thousand pesos before tje luggage release. This is true and she telling transaction payment tru gcash. Please help me how to received my luggage frim my boyfriend .
Shawee
November 01, 2021
Hi I received an email from EasyFlexible International cargo, and I was confused because they ask me 18,000.00 for the processing fee and they advised or confirmed my payment first before they deliver the parcel is this some kind of SCAM? 18,000.00 pesos is too much for the processing fee, or my so called BF is a scammer?
Aiden.ansari
November 02, 2021
I met some guy on fb dating. Hes works as a soldier on patrol from damascus, syria. He was so nice and sweet. He said that hes awarded $20,000 in funds and asked me to look after the luggage. Asked my email and address just yesterday. It was through my parcel now express and logistics. Now its saying its being held through spanish customs and border protection agency and I have to pay $3000 or else I have to go to court for violations of rules of customs and entry. I dont want to pay, what should I do?
MJC
November 02, 2021
Hello I want to ask if someone knows if the company kmexpressdelivery is real or a scam can anyone please help me
Hito
November 05, 2021
It's there such a company named morgan express logistics? They are saying I have 2 packages forme, and they want me to pay 3,250 I. Oder for them to deliver to NY address.
Joy
November 07, 2021
Is Lead EXPRESS Courier services is a scammer?they said I have a package and ask me to pay for the tax and vat,and they said I need to pay for fine because my package has money inside,is it a legit company?hope you can answer my concern.thank you
Ryn
November 07, 2021
Hello I experience it right now.. someone named Stephen Lea was my friend on facebook after chatting he decide that we will chat on Whatsapp so I did it. After two days he says she likes me ang he send package containing Jewelry and Money. After 1 day I received a mail from Eurosender Delivery saying that my package was arrived at NAIA 3. But they have a condition that I will pay for tax and costume fee also for the overweight. So I did what they said and sent the amount of 24,000 pesos through gcash and name after Liza Fernandez . After that they said they are ready to deliver it into my home ang they send another mail again saying that they scan that there are money inside the package and they need me to send another 12,000 pesos for me not charged with a case of Money Laundry which I never knew before. I was afraid because my personal was written there. I don't have a problem with the money but I was worried about my personal information. What if it was true they charged me to money laundry.? Pls I need help.. I barely need a response.
Adeyemi funke
November 08, 2021
A friend of mine said he sent me a package from USA, but I meet him on facebook. So I'm not sure if his true, he said the package is through AA Chicago courier service I was sent a message this morning via SMS that the package has arrived at Abuja airport I should send the money for clearance to the a gt account number that doesn't carry the company's name, I didn't receive any email message from the company it self, I'm confused. I was asked to pay #12,000 first then pay the remaining #4200,when I get the package, the number used to send the message is the same thing a the agent number sent to me, that the confusing part
Rachel M.
November 13, 2021
I met a US military guy online and he is stationed in IRAQ/SYRIA. He told me he would send his important 'family luggage' to me. It went thru Iraq, Kuwait, and got stucked in Malaysia. The Courier 'Flittway' is asking for USD3864 to clear the package which I am not interested to pay. Sounds 'scammish' to me.
Riza
November 13, 2021
Hello just wanna ask I have a parcel I have a tracking number then I track the parcel but the address is Philippines but in tracking site the address is peru it is possible scam he didn't ask me to pay it
Omg
November 15, 2021
What should I do I today also encounter this problem. The custom shipping company wants me to pay 1500 then they will send me the parcel because they say the parcel is overweight. I ask if I can go pick up myself they don't allow it say I must give them the money then they will send me the parcel. The guy I have met online say he wants to give me a gift but rejected many times after that I accept I didn't know that he will give me so many expensive gifts and today told me he give me money. And I think it's weird and not right I feel suspicious. I keeps on asking me if I have received the gift. He ask me to tell the custom delivery company to send the package back. I told the company but they didn't reply me. I just now online find some info I think I've been scammed but I didn't give the custom shipping company the money. But rn I'm so scared and afraid. Idk what to do I block his number but he knows my phone number and house address.
Jay
November 15, 2021
Hello, I made a friend on Instagram and he suddenly sent me a package after a week we became friends. And this morning, I received an email telling me that the package arrived in the Philippines but I have to pay an amount of money for them to proceed to the delivery. I paid the said amount. After paying it they said there's a lot of dollars inside the box. For me to get the package, they said that I should have an Anti-terrorist certificate but if I don't have one they can make one for me but have to pay 7,000 pesos. Is this a scam? Please help me. Thank you
Ava
December 21, 2021

In reply to by Jay

Hi may I know what’s the name who chatted you on instagram? Is it bolin haoyu or michel chen? Because i have the same scenario experiencing right now
Kk
November 18, 2021
What if you're called and indeed you're to receive a package and the brand that sent it had paid all expenses, and their asking you to pay 5k(I'm sure it's a scam to right?)
Nini10
November 19, 2021
Someone told me that he has a package for me and later on the courier message me in email that i will receive the packsge within 48hrs from US and then i need to pay 60$, another 200$ because it contains money in the package so i pay and then i need to pay another 200$ cause its not enough . What should i do? They say i will go to jail if i will not pay. Help please
ashe
November 21, 2021
Hi. I have a friend sent a gift for me from Canada. He said that he put an apple laptop, iphone, ipad perfumes and also bags. He even said the he put some money on it. He said that I'm going to pay for the taxes and insurance so that It will deliver to me. He even provided the website and the tracking number. I can even search for the website but I even chatted for the customer service. Is the FASTMAND DELIVERY is legit? Please help me.
unni
November 21, 2021
is there a courier called WORLDWIDE COURIER SERVICE, AND FINANCE SECURITY CO.LTD Affiliated to Federal Courier Service? they ask for money from me (which I already paid for 260$) and they will not give me the tracking code because I need to pay more. They threaten me to go to jail. What should I do? Can you help?
Jennifer G Rivera
November 27, 2021
Me also . My online bf sent me package from London UK to Singapore.. I paid shipping fee 1000sgd when I was in Singapore... Then I waiting no package coming and movehub message me that the package scan in the airport because they saw 300000usd... And they want me to claim the package for 10000sgd... But now I'm here on Philippines already and the package is still in there movehub Singapore... They have also gcash union BDO accounts where can I send money.. 350000 pesos... Until now I never claimed it..
Tevyl
November 29, 2021
I met this guy on Facebook by the name of George Long. He claimed to be a surgeon which I later found out it was a fake profile. I didn’t find out in time before I lost a lot of money. He send me a package with important documents. I thought it will be normal box delivery, but it was not. I found myself in a Customs Clearance Fees scam. He used Smoothway Express. The receipts look so real with the logo and all. They threatened that I would go to jail if I didn’t pay. It is all a scam. There was never any box or package.
Sam
November 29, 2021
I just wanna ask is fleetking delivery if legit. I have package from United kingdom, and also received an email to track my package, and it also says that before It will completely deliver to my doorstep I need to pay the Custom Clearance fee, which is 25000. I doubt if it's a scam..
Jjacks
November 30, 2021
I had a “company ” reach out to me by email and I just want to know if they are legit too cause they want time to open a business account and that’s when the red flags cane but they have been sending me stuff to ship out I’m so confused but the company is amber-cargo
Nana
December 01, 2021
Someone add me in Facebook and I accepted him. And his name is HARRY ANDERSON. He was a surgeon from UK. We chatted and moved to Whatsapp to chat. In just one day chatting with him, he said he will send me a parcel with lots of leather bags, shoes, iphones, jewelries, chocolates, DSLR and a money with $20,000. So he go shopping and after that he asked for my details and I gave him. After he sent the parcel to the GLOBAL CLASSIC LOGISTICS, he gave me the link wherein I can track the parcel. He told me to prepare $1,000 (around 50,000 pesos) before the parcel to arrive in the Philippines. I asked for a picture of the parcel he sent to me. When I saw the picture, it was like edited. That's when I realized that he was a scammer. Too bad he use being a christian and always said he was a God-fearing man.
Budweiser
December 01, 2021
Is link air logistics legit? Someone sent me a parcel and it has valuable inside including money. There is also a tracking number, it arrived here in the Philippines but on hold. Someone called me that i need to go to custom to pay for a anti money laundering certificate so that they can deliver my parcel. I also talked to the person who sent the parcel. Is this legit
Jo
December 15, 2021

In reply to by Budweiser

I literally have the same situation , the person on “LINE“ sent me a high valued “surprise“ gift and there is money inside for the “parcel fee“ , and the company “ Geo Shipping Logistics “ told me to pay 10,400 MOP for the custom fee and overweight but with no track number written in the email , i negotiate wether half price is ok , they agree but only accept 7000 MOP, so then i paid , they confirm and start to deliver HOWEVER as it turns out they told me to pay more (18,700MOP in total ) because they scanned money inside and the parcel and they could not find the “declaration certificate“ told me pay that much money in order to enable the delivery. I went furiouse and told the sender to pay but he does is sweet talk , guilt-tripping and act stupid . I fully suggest to go to the police immediately that is what i am currently doing
Lynyll
December 02, 2021
I have been chatting a man from Greece he said that he send me a gifts and chocolates inside of the package and there's a money inside of it. He send me the link of the company of Air Freight and he gave me the tracking number, so I found it that there is and after 3 days the cargo messaged me that I need to pay for the custom tax in the Manila and it's on hold, I need to pay 17,000 peso. And someone called me earlier she was speaking in Tagalog that my package has been arrived but I need to pay for custom taxes. My question, is this scam or legit? Please I need your answers ASAP
biana
December 04, 2021
i want to ask you ..in the united kingdom is there an airline named quick expresss shipping? someone can help.
biana
December 04, 2021
someone can help me.... in the united kingdom there an airline service called quick express shipping or not?right or not?
Toeknee
December 09, 2021
I thought it was a scam but I was thinking maybe not but I guess I couldnt be that lucky Thank you for your input merry Christmas
marites02
December 10, 2021
i would like to ask they have know this city link international courier?cuz my friend just sent me a package. the parcel is arrived today the Philippines and this CITY LINK INTERNATIONAL COURIER service they want me to pay the tax and it cost 15,000 pesos is this a scam
dong
December 12, 2021
Hi, is there any familiar with the one way courier from USA to Philippines??
Karanja
December 20, 2021
Hey some sent mi a parcel from USA. When it reached here in kenya they are asking for clearance fee of five thousand . I have not seen the parcel and they want mi to pay so that they can deliver . Is this regit
Ava
December 21, 2021
I’m experiencing this now. He said he send the package then yesterday the package arrived here in Dubai . They said need to pay the custom 1st . $500 dollars. They said if I didn’t made the payment immediately the fee gets high each day. They cannot even provide me a local contact number . They even send a box with my name only it looks like fake that just edited through computer. I know it’s scam but then one side of mine wants to believe him
tiffany
December 22, 2021
I have tried to go to these sites but they don't actually have a site to go to. Is there a way to track these people?
Cjstar
December 22, 2021
I keep getting a free ihone or ipad or appke watch but am asked to pay a $1.99 delivery fee first. Idid this once before and was scammed out of $70. And had t change my credit card number. These messages persist.
Faithy
December 27, 2021
Hi, is Delta Cargo Delivery company ligit? Because a friend on Whatsup messaged me for a few days and he said that he's from Romania but moved to London. He told me that he was sending some expensive jewellery and cash about $25000 and that I should follow all the introductions given by customs. The next morning I received a message on WhatsApp telling me to that the parcel from London has arrived at the airport but I have to pay $519 for customs clearance. I did not pay yet and said i will pay week later. Is this a scam?
Amorex
December 27, 2021
I had new message from the prime delivery. because my friend sent me a gift from Iceland but prime delivery said the shipping need to pay cost 18 thousand pesos. is this true?
Don't use your…
December 27, 2021
I think this is to make us fun of us. Please if do not want to deliver the prize it ok but make us drag on mouthing for. This is not ab Amazon. Thanks making us uncomfortable
Edna Brondo
December 27, 2021
someone telling me that he has gifts for me and it has already been sent .. the delivery carrier in the philippines texted me that the parcel was but I had to pay 15k for it to be delivered to me. do you really need to pay for the parcel before it is delivered to you?
Stupid one
December 28, 2021
They got me. I clicked on the link and copy n pasted the tracking pkg number in my search bar On the page I couldn’t click on anything I did begin with my name n address but still thought it was weird noticed in the upper search bar it said only tracking0 or something so I backed out of it and went to usps page. What should I do I’m not good at this stuff
Cols
January 03, 2022
My bf sends me a package from us and he sends the tracking number. He said I need to pay the delivery fee worth 10,000 pesos. But I don't have a money. So I am jobless. What should I do?
Nhicole_14
January 10, 2022
I have received a message that I have shipment to day but need a payment 5000 to 10000 pesos ..it's a scam or legit
Kesaah
January 17, 2022
I have this someone from U.K. who sends me package earlier, then he said that he already paid for the postage and shipping fees required by the company to deliver the items to me, then he also informed me that the company said only the receiver must pay for the local charges. Is this scam??? Or should i wait until the couriercontact me about the package???