“Your package could not be delivered. Pay a small redelivery fee here.” Because so many of us are waiting for a delivery at any given moment, this text works. It’s a smishing scam (phishing by SMS), and it’s one of the most common scams around.
How the scam works
Scammers send the same text to huge numbers of phones, pretending to be a courier or postal service. The message says there’s a problem with your parcel: a wrong address, unpaid customs, or a tiny fee of a dollar or two. The link opens a convincing fake tracking page that asks for your name, address and card details. Once you enter them, the scammers can use or sell your card details, charge your card, or use your information for further scams.
Red flags
- You weren’t expecting a text from that courier, or you didn’t order anything at all.
- The link looks odd: a shortened link, misspellings, or a web address that isn’t the courier’s real site.
- It comes from a random mobile number or an international number.
- It creates panic: “final notice”, “returned to sender in 12 hours”.
- It asks for a small payment. The tiny amount is the bait; the real target is your card details.
How to check a real delivery
Don’t use the link. Go to the retailer’s website or the courier’s official app, or type the courier’s web address yourself, and enter your tracking number there.
If you already entered your card details
- Block the card now in your banking app or by calling the number on the back of the card.
- Watch your statements for small or unfamiliar charges over the next few weeks.
- Change any password you typed on the fake page, and anywhere else you use it.
- Report the text: in the US and UK, forward it to 7726 (SPAM); in India, report it on the Sanchar Saathi portal (Chakshu) at sancharsaathi.gov.in. Then delete it.
Frequently asked questions
I only opened the link. Am I infected?
Just opening a link rarely harms an up-to-date phone, but close the page and don’t enter anything or install anything it offers. Keep your phone’s software updated.
Why do I get these when I haven’t ordered anything?
Scammers don’t know who has a parcel coming. They send millions of texts because enough people are expecting one.
Sources
Watch Patch explain it
New cartoon scam alerts every week on YouTube: youtube.com/@PatchVsScams
This article is general safety information, not legal or financial advice. See our Disclaimer for where to report scams.