How to Report a Fake Package Delivery Text
Forward fake delivery texts to 7726, file federal reports, and protect your bank account if you clicked.
To report a fake package delivery text, copy the message and forward it to 7726 (SPAM), then file reports with ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the FCC Consumer Complaint Center. For a message impersonating USPS, also forward it to [email protected], then delete it without clicking. Smishing means a text that uses a fake delivery notice and link to collect personal or payment details.
Fake delivery texts often impersonate USPS and ask you to tap a tracking link or fix an address. The FTC found these fake package-delivery texts were the most-reported U.S. text scam in 2024, with $470 million reported lost to text scams overall, according to the FTC Data Spotlight on 2024 text scams.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 05, 2026.
How can you tell a delivery text is fake?
An unexpected delivery text with a link deserves caution, especially when you did not request tracking. The Postal Inspection Service says USPS does not send unsolicited texts or emails unless the customer requested tracking with a number, and genuine messages contain no link. That detail gives you a simple check.
If you did not ask for USPS tracking and the message includes a link, treat it as smishing. Do not tap the link, reply, or share payment details.
What should you do right away?
Do not click, call back, or reply to the number. Save the sender number and message text so you can report the details. On iPhone, you can tap Report Junk, then Delete and Report Junk, which sends sender information and message content to Apple and, for SMS, MMS, and RCS messages, to the carrier.
- Copy the text and forward it to 7726 (SPAM) so wireless carriers can detect and block similar messages, as the FTC advises in its guide to recognizing and reporting spam texts.
- For USPS-related smishing, also forward the text to [email protected], as directed in the Postal Inspection Service holiday-scams guidance.
- Delete the message from your phone after forwarding and reporting.
Where should you file the report?
File a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov with the sender number, message contents, and linked address for the national fraud database. That entry helps investigators track patterns across many reports. Consumers can also file an unwanted-text complaint through the FCC Consumer Complaint Center by selecting unwanted calls, for policy and enforcement use, as explained in the FCC guide to stopping unwanted robocalls and texts.
Keep your forwarded messages and screenshots together in case your carrier asks for them.
What if you clicked, paid, or shared details?
Act quickly if you tapped the link, entered login details, paid a small fee, or shared financial data. Contact your bank or card issuer, contact your wireless carrier, and contact local law enforcement about the incident. Federal reports do not resolve individual cases or recover money.
Victims who clicked, paid, or shared financial data must separately contact their bank, carrier, and local law enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I report the text if I did not click the link?
Yes. Forward the untouched message to 7726, file the federal reports, and delete it. Unclicked messages still help carriers and investigators spot active campaigns.
Does reporting to Apple replace reporting to 7726 and federal agencies?
No. Apple reporting sends sender information and message content to Apple and, for SMS, MMS, and RCS messages, to the carrier. Forwarding to 7726 and filing federal reports serves separate blocking and enforcement uses.