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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.
  • 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.

Don't use your…
March 26, 2021

In reply to by MyFatherReceiv…

Don’t send any money this has happen to my friend also with a guy who’s also a soldier this guy said he was in Kabul Afghanistan he started talking to her and told her he really wanted to be with her and said he sent her package with money and gold he found with other soldiers and sent a video my friend wasn’t thinking and was shock to how someone wanted to send such a gift the package arrived a international airport in Canada and she also received a email to pay 1200$ My friend never respond to the email
Crissie
February 10, 2021
I got talking with a guy who said he loves me, and wants to marry me and wants to send parcels shipped to me with freight delivery. Com, tracking number qoq41eth from illinois the parcel is on hold at the freight depot, he is going mad with me saying I never loved him or I would pay £1,500 fee, inside the boxes is 150, ooo all his life savings clothes apple laptop engagement ring and other jewellery, rose flowers and other things, he has a black suitcase with a lock on it and wrapped up with sellotape in the 3rd box he says is all his documents I'm not paying for the parcels I told him that then I turned my phone off, is this a scam his name is Bruno Adams, 56
Feelsilly
February 16, 2021

In reply to by Crissie

Yes i have the same situation with Solidier who was in Iraq and now Syria, said he wanted to send a small gift now parcels being held in Northern Ireland and am being told by courier Abcexpress delivery which i can find nothing about them online if i dont pay 2800 i will be arrested is this a.scam please help
cailinek
February 11, 2021
I got a text message with my cell as the tracking number. It said to click on the link for more info for the held up item so I did and it said it was from IPS. Next few steps were “would you like it to be delivered?” “To your home or work?” And then I stopped. I exited the site and deleted the text.
@mmm
February 12, 2021
H! ive met a guy whose name is young john and he said he send me ah package through lake door cargo but when it arrived at the custom they said i will pay 25000 pesos i was shocked! I think it was a scam . shall i recieved it ?help me please
BIMBIM
February 12, 2021
i just want ot ask if PRIME EXPRESS DELIVERY IS A SCAM?
Lenevieve rayco
February 15, 2021
I would like to ask if skyex global express company is legit because my friend send me a package and i got an email from this company telling me that i have to pay the custom pay that is 285$ and then my friend tell me that he already pay the 130$ and i will just have to pay the 155$ but when i track my package it doesnt found...hopefully you can help me
Noah2380
February 16, 2021
can someone please help me i met someone online and said he had to leave out to work in the city of Yemen stated he works for IFRC we even facetime once and it was the same person from the pictures and have been messaging for months he got approved to leave to come see me and said he sent 2 of his suitcases over to me and even got a email from the company that he paid cash so i could track it now they are saying its on Hold in Turkey for RFID TAGS with a fee of 7800 dollars he never asked me to pay for it but said his (PM) would help but if i could help with 1000 the company is called Marbella Costa Courier the person I'm talking to to is Tomasz if someone could please help me if this is a scam
Don't umarsoto…
February 19, 2021
I keep getting text messages saying I have a package that is on hold ,I put my bank card info and it says payment cannot be processed please use another card..That's messed up
jude
February 21, 2021
Does any one experience, i meet a man online and he told me he will send me a gift and he gave me the tracking number and the company website which is pedcargo. and when it arrived in the philippines the prime express delivery call and email me to pay 18700 philippines peso for clearance fee. they send me an info to be send at palawan padala is this a scam? doeas any one can answer me.
MabiM
February 21, 2021
I’ve googled a courier service and found multiple sites which is different from the website provided to my fiancé by the said service. How do I verify that it’s the legitimate Brisk Logistics Courier service that I’m dealing with? Do all courier service typically charge a delivery fee?
Donnie
February 22, 2021
I received an email from the us postoffice telling me someone ordered an i phone in my name. They wanted $1.00 amd all my mailing information and they would send me the phone. It looked like official Post office logo and even had a tracking number. Is this a scam?
Hgerhardt82
February 24, 2021
So I meet a guy and he is in Afghanistan. He is sending a package home but the tracking from mng Kargo sent a email that the package was 23kg and that is over their duty free and looked to have some expensive items in it. But it is stuck in customs for 1,727. He kindly asked me if I could help with this fee to get the package. Is this a true company is this a scam. Please help.
GUAPA
February 24, 2021
HI,can u pls help me I think there is something wrong with my device lately I received more text emails and links. They say I am a winner of an iphone pro 11 and they want me to get the package and has a shipping fee. Another mails says that,I will pay by moneygram Php18,000 for the delivery package next week.The name was Franklin Smith,& others is Alex Fabiam,originated from Africa,but he was a Poland as he told me on emails.He says that he is a Security finance officer.A lot of things he ask from me & he says he wants me to be his gf too.Omg..Says that I need to pay a custom fee and terminal shipping fees.Omg it's a 500usd he ask from me.Pls help me.Advise me.What shall I do.That was a fake Scammed.
Lisa k. Kvasnicka
February 26, 2021
I get them pretty much every day I just delete them or send back a message to them .. like I don't want your phone I don't want your LOAN ect...
not an idiot
February 26, 2021
I got this tonight, idiots still trying this scam; Hey, this is Jane of USPS, we tried to deliver your parcel today but it is sent back to us. Please contact us here ASAP http://hb08y.com/jVTH4PzQSA
Tanella DeLong
March 01, 2021
Ok my boyfriend is a marine and sent me a package using ok fast delivery services. And it got held by Custom. I'm wanting to know if this delivery company is even real or is it fake.
Anne
March 02, 2021
AER Logistics cargo also a scam.... When it comes to costume need to pay for the taxes fee...in only 27.3kilo they are asking for 15500peso... And when i try to contact them....it was rejected....from phone number to their emails...
Ctango
March 05, 2021
I am expecting a package from overseas I've got the tracking number I received a text message saying I need to pay a dollar it was being detained and it would b sent back I called USPS and I called UPS they both say that they show its at customs so I know it's legit. Is this common?
G
March 10, 2021
I experience the same thing. May I ask if this company is legit"aircargo smart and delivery company" because it is the company who is responsible for my parcel.
Concerned
March 13, 2021
I accidentally clicked link to USPS scam. But, I “Z’s” out before page showed up on my phone. Should I be concerned about malware. Not having any trouble so far on my phone.
Piathrone01
March 14, 2021
hello..will anyone someone help me? I need answers. My friend sent me package and before he sent the package,he already gave me the tracking number and the link where i can track and trace and all the information, now the package is now in honkong international wc is to be delivered to bohol phillippines. He says that the package inside has a gold ring,a money and chocolates and others. The cargo he sent is ped cargo or prime express delivery. He told me also that i should inform him when i got the package and he will call me also after 2days but he didn't says i have to pay any charges. Is this a scam also? I am so worried cos we don't have time prime express delivery in our town and he also he ddn't told me what courier he sent the package.please help me.
Yogi
March 18, 2021
I think this is a scam but I'm not to sure have received email from international security trust company asking for money for delivery
Brett Alt
March 21, 2021
Someone that I thought was genuine "gifted" me a package and sent it out through DHL, but on the invoice in my email, I was told that I had to pay $675 for shipping. I have a feeling that I getting scammed here, and therefore I don't want to deal with it. I do have plans on contacting the local DHL in Waterloo, Iowa about it. I don't plan on sending money though, especially if I can't afford it. The question is this. Is this indeed a scam and what can I do to make sure that I don't pay for shipping costs for something that I never even ordered in the first place?
Lenny
March 22, 2021
Hello. I need some help. I met this guys on social media last week. We started talking on Line and he told me that he sent me gifts and packages. I was confused because, We only met for not that long and he insisted on sending me while i'm refusing him. and he just did. Then I was told by the courier to pay for 1550 USD for the clearance in the customs, in order for my package to be delivered. I'm so confused now. But, Im having a second thought because it doesn't feel right.
jasper
April 30, 2021

In reply to by Lenny

hello i also suffer this kind of matter rightnow but the the couriers not text me yet. .. what should i do
5aDay
March 22, 2021
I'm getting 5 scam emails everyday, some say from UPS, some say from Amazon, or Fedex or F E D E X, all have these super long email addresses with a .org.uk, or mrcoffeelover, how do I stop them and where are they coming from, why am I getting them?
Jaime
March 23, 2021
How do I know if the receipt was legit?
liza
March 23, 2021
Anyone in here chatting to Jack Chung ot Jake Chung?
Steph
March 26, 2021
Is Atlantic Elite Delivery a scam? Names associated with the company is Christopher Santosh, Lanie Wise, Megan Mossop
RB
November 02, 2021

In reply to by Steph

Good Day, Was it ever confirmed if Atlantic Elite Delivery is a scam. I got a message from them about a package and I have to pay USD750.00 to clear. I think its a scam and is not going to pay any money. The person sending the package if from the UK and works for a shipping company but I think this is a lie. I had my doubts when I started chatting with this guy and now I know for sure is a scam. So sorry for person who did not realize it was a scam and paid money. I am just glad that I did. The comments from other person are very helpful. Thank you all.
Lilmisskdm
March 28, 2021
I got a text telling me tho check my refund n said my package has been suspended. How do I add photos on here?
akmcgee
March 30, 2021
I’ve been receiving these text messages and emails almost every single day, how do I get them to stop?
lorence
April 01, 2021
beware of this company antroncourier.com, scamming you with package shipments and asking you to make payments and transactions. as additional information compare with this company siverexpress.com the content is the same and the pictures are not true.
Amara mercy
April 01, 2021
I got this friend we met on instagram ...we talked and fall in love ...he asked if i have ever received a gift from a broad i told him no so he sent me some showed me what he bought me ...an iphone laptop some shoes a watch and packed them for me ..he asked me my details full name email amd city he even sent me a receipt so the following day i got a text from the xlogistic company saying i jave a par el from england but i should pay the tax fee of $150 in kenyan shillings to Tanzania am still woundering if its real or a scum kindly help me out
kath
April 01, 2021
Hi, may I ask if World Class Ds Delivery Company is a scam? They want me to send them money amounting 17500 first before they deliver the product to me.
Pizza
April 05, 2021
Those are scams, don't believe that an individual will easily send you such great amounts and gadgets, those are scams to get into your pockets lol
Param
April 07, 2021
My friend say I send u courier from England to india.. He send me track num of ovo courier service.. 2 days later someone call me ur parcel in Indian airport u have to pay 30000 for custom clearance.. He say send me money on ur account num..ist then we deliver ur parcel.. When I text this num who say I m from custom department.. He say this is wrong number.. Or I also check ifsc code .. Code is orisa Branch.. I think this is scam
Lee
April 08, 2021
Good morning .....I just want to ask if it is legit....I have a foreigner whom I meet in the dating site and he sent me a parcel with complete details and it is hold on the the custody....and it is saying that I will pay a charge worth of 400 dollars before they delivered the package....the receiver is Meji Rose Biaco...from delivery TMB cargo....pls tell me if it is scam..thank you
Lora benson
April 09, 2021
I am from India. I made a fb friend who requested me 3 months back who is from London UK. We chat on whatsapp. A week back he said he sent me a gift for Easter. The parcel arrived in India after a 1 day. I recieved a call from courier company asking for rs 26000 to pay for delivery charges. I msg him. He asked me to pay it as the parcel contains phone along with other things immediately without delay and recieve the parcel. I was given a personal account number of a lady KK Sreedevi, where I made the payment and asked when the parcel would be delivered. The lady called me again after half an hour and said foreign currency is found inside the parcel, and demanded 75000 inr more for clearance. I refused. I msg the uk friend about it. He said he has kept 45000 pounds inside the parcel for me and asked me to pay the lady and get done with it and recieve the parcel. Anyhow the parcel large amount of money. I have refused to do it. I am scared of what is to be done. Will the police arrest me. I am scared as my reputation is at stake. Please help
mardz
April 10, 2021
I have a chatmate from UK stating that he sent me valuable gifts. He gave me a website and a tracking number. So far, that tracking number works but the logistics company said that they will only deliver the package if i will pay the 18,700Php as a clearance fee..! I just want to ask if it is a legit company? or one of the scammers? the name of the courier is Pedcargo.. Please help me..
Xoxoche
April 21, 2021

In reply to by mardz

We are same situation, I thinks that Prime Express Delivery? on hold with charge of 18,700 ?
Xoxoche
April 21, 2021
Is there an Prime Express Delivery in the Philippines?
Zhaira143
June 07, 2021
Someone been texting me for a month saying "******, we were unable to deliver your package. Follow the link to schedule a new delivery date: https://r2m.in/qZr_Xa". I've already block the number but it still keep on texting me through the other number.
Ayanna Jones
June 08, 2021
My significant other sent me a parcel from London to Trinidad....i am currently tracking the parcel it is showing me that it in Greece Athens customs department and they are calling me and telling me that I have to transfer 650USD via money gram for them to transloud my parcel and sent it to me???? I need some advice please because I am feeling I am being scammed when I ask for the name of the department and the registration number of the company is to no avail he keeps telling me about send the money to the name he sent I even asked about the name he says that is who have to receive the money to send my stuff please I need help
Calhai
June 08, 2021
Can I know if it is a scam my friend i meet online send me a gift item because he love me but some delivery agent message me that the parcel is held by the custom and they want me to pay for $600 so that the parcel will be freed within 48 hours and if they open the parcel and find out what inside the police will after me and i will be imprison please tell me if this is a scam please i need an advice what to do
Anton
June 12, 2021
I do have same scenario someone is sending me a package. And the courier telling me to pay for the shipment because the custom hold because it violated because there is a money inside. The courier told me if I don't pay 990$ they will sue me. Is that also a scam? They also send me also a email but I think the email is not legir because they is no logo
Skylar
June 12, 2021
We're same problem here please help me he scam me about 43,000 peso because og the package he send me how can we report this guy please help me
Ashly
June 16, 2021
Hi I have a new korean friend he told me that his working on London. He send me some gifts including a big amount of money on the package and now he ask me that I have to pay for the courier. Is this a scam?