Identified Scam:

Get an Unexpected Delivery Alert? It May be a UPS Text Scam

Scammers are using SMS messages to send fake alerts to customers regarding a package delivery. Here's what to know about this scam.


Verified.org
Updated 10 February 2023
Get an Unexpected Delivery Alert? It May be a UPS Text Scam
Identified Scam:
Key Finding

Fake UPS text messages are being sent to customers regarding delivery issues.


Key Risk

You risk having your identity stolen.

Sections on this page
  1. What Kinds of Texts Does UPS Send?
  2. How to Spot a UPS Text Scam
  3. How to Protect Yourself Against a UPS Text Scam
  4. What to Do If You’ve Fallen for a UPS Text Scam
  5. Frequently Asked Questions

If you’ve ever gotten a text from UPS regarding an issue with a package out of the blue, you’re not alone. Scammers are posing as the shipping company to trick consumers into either giving out their personal information in order to steal their identity or get them to infect their device with malware. The messages in these fake UPS text scams can vary, but they always come with a sense of urgency in order to convince their targets to act quickly.

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Learn how to spot a fraudulent UPS text, how to protect yourself against them, and what to do if you’ve fallen for one.

What Kinds of Texts Does UPS Send?

Like most shipping companies, UPS does send text message alerts to customers. However, the carrier states that it only sends mobile correspondence from 69877 for American and Canadian customers, not a seven-digit phone number.

UPS also never sends texts unprompted; you must sign-up for these alerts with UPS My Choice or through its tracking feature. To check if you’ve signed up, check your account at: https://www.ups.com/lasso/login.

It’s important to note that the company will also never ask you via text for personal information such as:

  • Your account information
  • Login credentials
  • Your address
  • Payment info

If you receive a text claiming to be UPS and are asked for any of the above, you have likely been targeted in a scam.

Common Reasons UPS Will Send SMS Texts

  • To notify you about an upcoming delivery
  • To update you on a package such as when it’s on the move or whether it has arrived/departed
  • To notify you about issues with your package (changes to your delivery date, missed delivery attempts, delivery exceptions)

Does UPS Send Text Messages with Links?

Yes, at times, UPS does send out texts that include links, but the URL will always be recognizable and from ups.com. If there is any other address or if you click on the link and it takes you to a website other than ups.com, it’s likely a scam.

Here are a few ways to tell whether a link within a text from UPS is legitimate or not:

  • If the link doesn’t start with “https://www.ups.com,” it’s not from the company.
  • To preview the link on your mobile device, press and hold the link (don’t let go) and you’ll be able to see what the page is before it opens.
  • On a laptop, hover your mouse over the link to see the full URL.

How to Spot a UPS Text Scam

Scammers use a variety of tricks to spoof real UPS texts. But some of the most common ones are:

Missed delivery: You'll be notified that you missed a delivery and need to click on a link to reschedule it.

Delivery date change: You'll be alerted of a change to a current delivery and will be asked to confirm the new date by clicking on a link.

Undelivered package: You may be sent a tracking number and a notice that a scheduled delivery could not be dropped off for a number of reasons. You may be asked to pick a new delivery address.

Red Flags of a UPS Text Scam

Many times, if you weren't already expecting a delivery or didn't send one, you may already know these are scam texts. However, if you did ship something recently, it may be harder to spot the signs of these scams.

Here are a few telltale signs that point to a UPS text scam:

  • Spelling or grammatical errors
  • Unexpected requests for money in return for delivery of a package
  • Pushy or urgent requests (must act now!)
  • Sent from a non-UPS phone number (69877)
  • Misspelled or slightly altered website addresses (e.g., ups-ship.com, ups.delivery.com)

Stop! Don't Reply!

Never reply to a text message if you're unsure whether it is real or not. Scammers sometimes send out fake texts to test who replies in order to target you for a more advanced scam in the future.

Below are few examples of fake UPS texts

Example  of a fake UPS text scam

UPS. Hi [Name]. Your shipment requires a delivery fee. Proceed to pay now to avoid delivery delay, Visit: https://ups-express.click/?&trck=1ZEC7_L3g

UPS text scam delivery payment
UPS will never ask for payment for a delivery and won't ask you to click on a link to pay. These are both red flags.

Example of a fake UPS text scam

We have attempted to deliver your package UPS 016448296GB, but there is an unpaid customs charge. Follow the instructions here: 7ap.me/f6TAI

UPS text scam
In this example of a UPS text scam, payment is requested to complete an unpaid customs fee. This is a scam.

How to Protect Yourself Against a UPS Text Scam

To protect yourself from identity theft or infecting your device with malware from a fake UPS text, use the following tips:

  • Login to your UPS My Choice account via its official website (https://www.ups.com) to verify whether you have a package waiting for you.
  • Call UPS directly. You can contact customer service number at 800-742-5877.
    • Keep in mind that you don’t want to use any phone number provided to you via the text.
  • Don’t click on any links within the text.
  • Check the tracking number. Type the supposed tracking code into UPS tracking system to see if it’s a legitimate number.
    • Don’t copy/paste the code from your phone in case it’s a phishing link.
Contact Details

UPS



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Verified Contact Details

It's important to verify links and contact details to beat imposters.

What to Do If You’ve Fallen for a UPS Text Scam

If you feel you've accidentally fallen for a fraudulent UPS text, there are a few things you can do to ensure your information is safe and help others avoid this scam.

Other Types of Scam Texts to Be Aware Of

Scammers are sending more and more scam text messages pretending to be from legitimate companies and banks:

Don't click on links within these texts or call the phone number listed. You should always find the genuine number for the company on their official website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why am I getting delivery texts from UPS?

If you're not expecting a delivery, it's likely that the text is not actually from UPS. Instead, it's a fake messages meant to trick you into giving out your personal information to steal your identity.

In other cases, if you signed up for UPS text alerts and the sender number is 69877 (not a seven-digit number), then it may be a legitimate text. 

Does UPS ever ask for my personal information over text?

No, UPS will never have you verify your account information, login to your account or request payment for a delivery via text. If you do get a text asking for this information, it is a scam. The carrier does notify you of issues with a delivery, but it won't require you visiting a site other than ups.com.

How do I report a fake text to UPS?

If you think you were sent a fake text message posing as UPS, take a screenshot of the text and send it to the carrier at [email protected]. 

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