TL;DR: This scam surges through December as package volume peaks industry-wide and most households are tracking multiple real deliveries at once, making a fake delivery text easy to mistake for a legitimate one. Track packages only through the retailer's or carrier's official app or website, and never enter payment information through a link sent in a text message.
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This scam surges through December as package volume peaks industry-wide and most households are tracking multiple real deliveries at once, making a fake delivery text easy to mistake for a legitimate one.
How the Scam Plays Out
Texts and emails claim a delivery failed or needs a small redelivery fee, linking to a page designed to steal payment card details rather than any real carrier system.
How to Protect Yourself
Track packages only through the retailer's or carrier's official app or website, and never enter payment information through a link sent in a text message.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading Home Buying Season Scams (Spring/Summer).
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see Income Tax Refund Phishing Scams.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does this typically happen?
This scam surges through December as package volume peaks industry-wide and most households are tracking multiple real deliveries at once, making a fake delivery text easy to mistake for a legitimate one.
What tactics are used?
Texts and emails claim a delivery failed or needs a small redelivery fee, linking to a page designed to steal payment card details rather than any real carrier system.
How can I protect myself?
Track packages only through the retailer's or carrier's official app or website, and never enter payment information through a link sent in a text message.
What should I do if I’ve already been targeted?
Stop all payments immediately, contact your bank or card issuer to see if a transaction can be reversed or flagged, and report the incident to the appropriate consumer protection body.