Recognizing fake package-delivery messages

01

Compare the message with an order you recognize

Open the retailer account or carrier website through a known route, not the message's link. Check whether an actual order has the problem described. If you are not expecting a package, that uncertainty is a reason to pause rather than provide details to identify it.

The FTC describes delivery scams that send people to imitation sites to collect personal or payment information. A small requested fee can still expose much more than the amount charged if you enter card details on a false page.

02

Keep the verification process separate

For example, an address-correction text arriving during a real delivery can be a coincidence. Match it to the actual order status before acting. Urgency and familiarity should not replace independent verification.

• Do not reply with your address or identity documents.
• Do not use a phone number supplied only by the suspicious message.
• Check the order through the account used for the purchase.
• Use the messaging service's reporting controls where appropriate.
• Preserve relevant evidence if you already provided information.

03

Respond according to what you shared

If you only received the message, avoid interacting and use available reporting or blocking controls. If you entered a password, follow the affected provider's official security process. If you disclosed card information or paid, contact the payment provider through a verified channel promptly.

Keep the response private. Posting a screenshot that includes your full address or tracking information can create another exposure. Describe the warning to others without sharing personal details or a clickable suspicious link.

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