How to Spot a Fake Delivery Text in 30 Seconds

A fake delivery text is a scam message that pretends to come from a courier or the post office, says your parcel is stuck, and asks you to tap a link to pay a small fee or update your address. The link leads to a look-alike page that collects your card or sign-in details. This kind of text scam is often called smishing.

Checked on 7 November 2026.

Why do fake delivery texts work so well?

Fake delivery texts work because almost everyone is waiting for a parcel at some point. The message is short, sounds urgent and asks for very little, often a fee of one or two dollars. That small amount makes people relax, but the real goal is the full card number, the security code and sometimes a one-time code sent to your phone.

What are the 5 signs of a fake delivery text?

You can check these 5 signs in about 30 seconds:

The sender is a normal phone number or an email address, not the courier's usual short name.

The link does not use the courier's real website, or it adds extra words or odd endings to the name.

It asks for money to release a parcel, even a tiny amount.

It creates a deadline, such as "today" or "within 12 hours".

It has no tracking number you recognise, or none at all.

One sign is enough to stop and check another way.

What should you do instead of tapping the link?

Instead of tapping the link, open the courier's official app or type its website address yourself, and enter the tracking number from your order email. If the parcel really has a problem, it will show there. On iPhone you can press and hold the message and choose Report Junk, and in Settings > Apps > Messages turn on Filter Unknown Senders (called Screen Unknown Senders on newer iOS) to move these texts out of your main list.

What if you already tapped the link?

If you already tapped the link, act quickly in this order:

Do not enter anything else and close the page.

Call your bank with the number on your card if you typed card details, and ask to block the card.

Change the password of any account you signed in to, and turn on two-factor sign-in.

Watch your statements for small test charges over the next weeks.

Does a VPN stop fake delivery texts?

No. A VPN encrypts your internet connection, which protects you on public Wi-Fi, but it cannot stop a text message or tell a real link from a fake one. The protection here is your habit: never pay or sign in from a link in a text, and always check in the courier's own app.

Frequently asked questions

Do real couriers ever text a payment link?

Some carriers send real tracking texts, but you can always check the same parcel in their app or on their website without using the link. When in doubt, check there.

Why did I get a delivery text when I ordered nothing?

Scammers send the same message to huge lists of numbers. Getting one does not mean your details leaked, and it does not mean a parcel exists.

Is it safe to reply STOP?

It is better not to reply. A reply tells the sender your number is active. Report it as junk and delete it.

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