Parcel delivery scams to watch out for all year round

If the first few months of this year are any indication, people are still spending, despite economic challenges. The National Retail Federation reports that retail sales were up 4.2% year over year for the first five months of 2023.

With all that buying and selling, scammers are also taking notice. As online and non-store sales continue to rise, delivery scams remain a persistent threat. But don’t worry—you don’t have to fall for one. Here’s how to spot these scams and avoid them.

Be wary of delivery scam texts

To keep your deliveries safe, you might sign up for text alerts that provide tracking links. For most, this works smoothly. However, scammers know you're expecting packages and, according to the United States Postal Inspection Service, will send fake texts about your delivery. These texts often ask you to “update your information” through a link. Clicking that link may lead to a fake site that tricks you into providing personal info, or worse, installs malware on your device.

A common scam text is one that says, “Sorry we missed you,” urging you to click a link to update delivery preferences. If you get such a message from an unknown number, don’t click the link—it's likely a scam. Instead, visit the retailer’s website directly to check your order’s status.

How to spot a parcel delivery scam text

Watch for slight changes in the name spelling of websites, as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) advises. Scammers may use URLs like “fedx.com” or “fed-ex.com” to trick you into believing you’re on the legitimate FedEx site. Always double-check the URL before clicking.

Protect yourself from parcel theft

Nearly 1 in 4 people has experienced porch piracy in the past year, according to Security.org. If you live in an apartment or don’t have a security camera, your packages are even more vulnerable to theft.

Tips to avoid package theft

To reduce the risk of parcel theft, consider requesting signature confirmation for deliveries, especially for expensive items. Another option is to schedule deliveries for when you're home. If you receive text alerts, you may even be able to coordinate meeting the delivery truck when it arrives. For unfamiliar shipping companies, check online reviews to see how reliable they are.

Seller scams are growing

Even on legitimate platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, or Instagram, scams are becoming more common. Once you make a purchase, scammers can take your payment info, even if the item never arrives.

How to avoid seller scams

Check the seller’s history—look at the number of sales, customer ratings, and reviews. See if the shop or creator has a presence on social media. If the account is new or has no sales history, proceed with caution.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

If your order never arrives or you suspect fraud, report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Notify your bank or credit card company to dispute the charge and prevent further fraudulent transactions. You can also report the seller on platforms like Etsy, Facebook, or Amazon to protect other buyers from falling victim to the same scam.

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