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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.

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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.
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  • 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.

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Yunki
December 09, 2021

In reply to by Mariz

Same here just now, Korean guy pretending he likes me and send me expensive gifts plus money then when parcel came they want me to pay 20K lol i never pay coz i dont have money lol.
Wiser than scammer
November 12, 2021

In reply to by Ashly

I had the same experience. A korean guy saying he's looking for fri3ndship then saying he is in love with me like that. Even asking to do blood oath to "strengthen" our bond. Then he send gifts and ask me to just follow whatever the delivery company wants to. Very suspicious since he is insisting I pay the import fee. I told him I don't have many but he keeps insisting I get money from $500 to $200 just so I can "pay" the courier. Definitely a scam. I blocked him in IG and whats app.
Lampia
July 01, 2021
Someone that sent a package that i refused to pay because i understood that it was a scam. Now is sending me messages that is going to kill me.
Miriamargonsol…
July 11, 2021
is the global link courier service real or not?
Jhang
July 12, 2021
Is british fast link cargo is legit.. someone also send me a tracking device and ask to pay a $950
Varsha
July 16, 2021
I have ordered a set of clothes from a fake website.. initially I didn't know about that.. but after ordering I came to know that it was fake.. luckily it is cash on delivery.. n my cash is safe.. the package has not yet come.. not able to cancel it as it is a fraud website.. can I avoid the parcel when it comes to my door?
Tay
July 19, 2021
Hi I'd like to know if this is also a scam A package for me is being held at Boksburg. Reason: broken label (missing information) - Correct it here bxrts.com.....
Forondamayolin…
July 24, 2021
Actually past few days, I met someone online from UK, he was telling me He gave me a gifts, likes jewelries, phone, bags and whatever, he gave me the receipt, I think that was send through his email then he told he paid already, except the clearance fees, its cost about 5000hkd, they ask me to pay first before they send that parcel UK To Hongkong , that guy send me the photos of the things he buy it for me,
Louie
July 26, 2021
Hello can anyone help me pls. I have a friend online from he says He is in UK so he wants me to give a gifts so I send him my address, he sent me the 3 boxes, after 2 days I received a msg from the courier company that I will pay 5000 hkd for clearance fee, but when I realize maybe this is all fraud scam, because I don't want to pay that 5000 hkd, they threaten me, because a lot of money they spend, they told me we will meet in the court
clarisse.anzal…
July 27, 2021
Global express air cargo is there anyone used this cargo? From UK to PH? The staff said to me that i need to pay 25,500 pesos for my package and to receive it and i already reported this company in NBI and CUSTOM. Is there anyone who can transact to this company?
remediostomine…
July 30, 2021
I had a similar sentiments too. I got an enail telling me i had a poacjage from Cuba but when the pacjage is in the Philippines ivwas surprise why i have to pay 56, 550.00 pesos so i ask where to pay, where to claim. The gift pack suppose to be is with cash and that made me doubtful becsuse i know its not allowed to send cash in a parcel. I hinted this is scam
Sun
August 01, 2021
I've known a man in an online and become my boyfriend after a month he siad that he hath send me an home appliances for business purpose and hid a huge currency in the cargo I didn't know about this until he send it already he just inform me that he had send it and giving a tracking number to track the cargo now I had also recieve a email that I have a cargo from US and they urge me to pay for the excise tax ,and after that they have discovered that they seen a huge currency they say that I should pay 35,000 to settle this it is true?and they have given me 48 hours to settle this but I didn't give the money after 3 days they emailed me again that I should pay or the nbi will come unto me?what should I do?
MFDL
August 09, 2021
Someone send a parcel to me,but the company speedcourier parcel delivery services wants me to pay the charges fee before theyre going to deliver it to me. And after that they said that they detect money inside the box and they want me to pay charges. And they want anti tourism certificate. If i didnt pay this tx the parcel was on hold and get lost. Is this true??
Singlemom 29
August 09, 2021
I have a package but it turns out that I will pay for the package fees taxes and it said it was unhold but if I don't pay for the taxes they said the custom will confiscate was it really true or scam? Is it legit that you will pay for the package taxes?
princess
August 13, 2021
Hi, did someone know a global express aircargo? A friend sent me a package from Uk saying it will arrived at Aug 18, 2021. At first, I track the airway bill and it works but in my second try on tracking the parcel, I couldn't track it anymore. Is this a scam right?
mabuy
August 19, 2021
Does the link cause virus or malware? I opened it on my phone and it told me to complete a survey from USPS and walmart.
Galavant
August 19, 2021
ALL I want to know is if there is such a company called wingstrade from UK.They say that they pay for everything.and they pay you to count items in packages sent to you
Katlego
August 20, 2021
The iPhone give away its a scam those people they tell you to buy an iTunes gift card then after they redeem it
Brenz
August 23, 2021
Yes,same to me i receive a text today to pay for custom clearance 12,115 pesos. I know it is a big scam. It will not arrive in their office from the airport custom if it's not fully paid.no one would deliver it.once it arrive to our country the charges is being paid already. That Mark Daniel pretend he's from New York and a sailor is a big scammer.plus this christine pretend from custom office in Manila is a sabotage or a wife of Mark Daniel.
Lisa
August 23, 2021
It happened to me I got scammed about a friend sending me a package and I need to pay the courier agent and send to Turkish headquarters, I was fooled to believe him. He pretended to be Kim Lee from Austin, Texas.
lixa
August 26, 2021
is airline express cargo delivery a scam 714 4856581
justine
August 30, 2021
Anyone familiar with U-Cargo Delivery? They have been letting me pay over $1000 for the fees upfront. Shipment from the US to the Philippines.
Love
August 31, 2021
Someone called me yesterday, my package was arrived from ----- my sender. I know he sent me but when that caller told me I need to pay 25 thousand for shipping fee, i said hold my package because thats too pricey for a package. Do you think its scam?
Lethabo
September 02, 2021
I received an sms saying that my parcel will be returned back to the sender if I didnt collect it. The sms has a link and when I click it say I must confirm where it is me or not and they mentioned my name and SURNAME. They even said that parcel has correct name and surname. What should I do ?
Lyn
September 02, 2021
Does anybody know of a delivery company call vertex delivery and logistics ?
Lianne
September 06, 2021
Hello! I have this situation right now I have this boyfriend from UK. He told me sent his luggage first here in Philippines before he went to Indonesia for work. And that luggage is his personal that he will use when his is coming here in my country after his contract in Indonesia. And this morning I had received a call from a Filipina woman telling me that luggage is already here and I need to pay $850 or 42500 pesos (that is really big amount) to release my boyfriends luggage from the warehouse. Is it scam or there is a courier like that? Thank you.
Kolkel
September 08, 2021
I bought an item online. The shipped it and now they said I didn’t pay but they did ship it. Do I need to pay for an I protected as it was a package that was delivered with out me paying?
Jerra
September 09, 2021
I need help my one friend send me parcel from Iceland... (Prime express) .. company message me on email yesterday my parcel in on hold and give me tracking number...it is scam or true?
Joseph
September 10, 2021
Hello. Please I sent a package 3 days ago. It was supposed to deliver on Monday but delivered yesterday and my receiver said he didn’t receive it. What could have happened? I used fedex.
alfers
September 13, 2021
hi she send me receipt for package if i received then he wants the agent/delivered to pay. is this ascm?
Dean13
September 13, 2021
I wish someone from here can answer my question. Is this Easy Flexible International Cargo is Scam site? It send me an email about the package that sent to me. Thank you for the answer.
Scaredandasahmed
September 13, 2021
I got scammed too. I stop paying when I received the email asking for payment to insurance my package. I told them that I won’t pay, they can keep the package an now, I’m receiving threatening text messages like if I know what’s good be better to call the agency and pay. I’m really scared. They have my address and phone number.
Jay
September 14, 2021
Funny enough someone is actually trying to scam me as we speak. His name is John Kennedy and he automatically likes me to the extent of sending Apple iPhone and Laptop for me, now he's claiming I go pick it up.
Ae10
September 16, 2021
I would like to know if rogue miles delivery courier is a legit delivery company?
Maris
September 16, 2021
Is universal express logistic services legit mam/sir?
Pjane
September 16, 2021
Got an email from Delta Global about shipping sugar gliders to me. First, I never approved the purchase. Second, the email from Delta Global requested $500 and said it would be refunded once I received the sugar gliders. They
ROSELYN DAKINGKING
September 16, 2021
I received the consignment from someone live in US he told me that he can't send the money to pay the bills because he is in assign in Damascus Syria but he told me that I'll pay all the expenses og cargo before he delivered it door to door. How can i know if it is a scam?
Chris
September 19, 2021
Hi.. I ask for something! The woman send me a package UK then i have to pay total balance of shipping. It's scam or not
Gummybabe
September 20, 2021
If the package from us to Philippines how many days expecting arrive ? Someone send me a package from US,I don't know if it's true.i need to pay the clearance the amount is too big. I need to pay 25,000 pisos .
AzDleon
September 22, 2021
Is United Morgan Express Logistics a legitimate shipping company?
SEang
October 19, 2021

In reply to by AzDleon

I am wondering the same thing. The person that contact me his 917-985-7862 . is this the one that call you as well.
zol
October 13, 2021
Someone contacted me that she send me a gift box which money inside the box... is it true pr scam? Pls help me.
SEang
October 19, 2021
I received a call and text, saying I have the package from Dubai, he says he was sending me gifts and video of what he is sending me. The Morgan Delivery Service, send me an invoice and ask me to transfer $$ to the account that he provided, now he saying, its at custom and wants me to pay the fine of $20K so I won't be arrested. He download a file from CRS created this letter to say if I don't pay I will be in prison for 14 days.
Grace
October 24, 2021
Are you kidding me. Why Im supposed to pay amount of 17000 php for the kind of package that I never send it.
Lin
October 26, 2021
I'll just ask how I can get back the money I paid them. Me to I encountered like that, need to pay this and that.I receive that from my boyfriend. But he's fake. Please help me. I want to get my money back.
Don't use ur r…
October 29, 2021
I received an alert on my laptop the other day, thing was going crazy saying must contact Microsoft support right away because my identity was at risk and there was a leak in my browser or some crap... I called the number provided and dude sounded legit but luck would have it... Wife came out ready to head home so I said I'd call back. Had my wife look up there info and it was a scam... Almost got me but dodged a bullet that time....
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