UPS text scams: 3 examples and how they work

What is a UPS text scam?

A UPS scam is a phishing scheme where scammers pose as United Parcel Service (UPS) representatives and send fake texts. UPS scam text messages often mention a “missed” delivery or unpaid shipping fees, and they sometimes include a malicious link that leads to a fake UPS website or payment portal.

When targeted by a UPS scam, fraudsters urge you to click a link to track, reschedule, or pay for a delivery. However, doing so could infect your device with malware, direct your payment to the scammer, or trick you into sharing sensitive personal information such as your UPS password, home address, or Social Security number.

If you fall for a UPS text or email scam, the scammer might be able to:

• Install malware on your device.
•  Steal your personal information.
• Gain control of your devices.
• Direct your payments to their own accounts.
• Take over existing accounts or open new ones in your name.
•  Commit identity theft using your data.
• Sell your information on the dark web.

UPS scam text and email examples

Cybercriminals use various lies — from fake delivery attempts to nonexistent fees or reward offers — to trick unsuspecting victims into sending sensitive information or money. Watch out for the following types of fake UPS texts and emails.

Fake delivery attempts from UPS ground shipping

One of the most common UPS scams involves scammers creating a fake automated message from UPS ground shipping claiming you missed a delivery. They’ll often prompt you to click a link to reschedule for another day or update your delivery address, counting on your curiosity to entice you, even if you weren't expecting a delivery.

But once you click, the fake link may launch a malware download without you realizing it. Or, they may claim to charge you to reschedule the delivery and collect your payment details to use for themselves.

These messages can look very convincing, often including fake tracking numbers to make them seem real. For example, you might receive a text or email that says something like this:

Delivery fee required scam

Scammers pretending to be from UPS may send you a text or email claiming you owe a delivery or redelivery fee. The message might say you won’t receive your package until you pay, which can be particularly compelling if you don’t have time to check the delivery details for packages you’re expecting.

Like other UPS scams, fake delivery fee messages often contain details that make them seem legitimate, like your name, address, or even a company name that you often purchase from. A delivery fee required scam message might look like this:

Keep in mind that once your initial payment is processed with the real UPS, they generally don’t ask for extra shipping fees. If additional charges really do apply, UPS will notify you via official UPS channels or email rather than over text. If you receive communications that you think are real, navigate to the UPS website on your own, and paste in the tracking number you know is correct. From there, you should be able to see all of the delivery details and hangups, like any extra fees required.

UPS reward scam

UPS reward scams are phishing schemes designed to steal information, such as your payment details or account logins, by promising money or fake prizes. These scams generally link to surveys that appear to collect feedback on delivery, customer service, or website experiences.

The fake survey or giveaway may promise an amazing prize, but instead, the scammer baits and switches you, requesting payments for the prizes you won or for “delivery” of said prize.

Or, instead of a legitimate survey, the link redirects you to a fake UPS website controlled by the scammer. Like most types of phishing scams, the original message aims to create a sense of urgency by mentioning a time limit for the prize draw, like in this example:

Always treat messages about UPS prize draws or rewards with caution. Legitimate sweepstakes are announced on the official UPS website or social media accounts.

How to tell if a UPS message is a scam

Although scammers use sophisticated tactics to make it hard to distinguish legitimate messages from scams, there are telltale signs that can help you spot a fake UPS text or email:

• Sense of urgency: Scammers usually attempt to trick you into acting without thinking by creating a false sense of urgency. This may include using threats like a delivery getting canceled if you don’t respond.
• Payment requests: UPS never asks you to make payments for parcels via text message. If you’re prompted via text to make a payment for a parcel you aren’t expecting, it’s probably a scam.
• Poor grammar and spelling: It’s highly unlikely that a legitimate message from UPS will contain grammar or spelling errors. Treat mistakes or strange phrasing in a message as a red flag that it’s a scam.
• Unexpected messages: UPS never sends unsolicited emails or texts asking for personal information. Additionally, the real UPS only texts if you actually have a delivery scheduled and you actively requested SMS updates.
• Deceptive links: According to UPS, their messages only ever include links to legitimate UPS websites, starting with: “https://ups.com” or “https://billing.ups.com.” Don’t click links leading to any other websites and look out for small spelling variations.
• Suspicious area code: Messages claiming to be from UPS that originate from unusual or international numbers are almost always fraudulent (as long as you’re not actually expecting an international shipment). According to UPS, their legitimate text communications come from the number 75137.
• Fake tracking numbers: Scammers often include fake tracking numbers to make their UPS text scams look legitimate. To verify if a tracking number is real, never click on it; instead, manually enter it on the UPS website to see if it pulls up any shipment records.

How to protect against UPS scams

Being able to recognize the most common UPS scam emails and texts is a great first step. But you also need to know how to protect yourself before a malicious text or email lands on your device.

Use the following strategies to help protect yourself from getting duped by UPS text message scams:

• Don’t respond: Scammers create a sense of urgency or severity to trick you into responding to their messages — don’t fall for it. If you’re still unsure if the request is real after tracking it yourself, contact UPS directly.
• Don’t click links: Avoid clicking links in suspicious messages, as they may install malware or redirect you to fake, scammy websites designed to steal your personal information. Only trust links leading to the official UPS website.
• Check your UPS invoices: Regularly review your UPS invoices and shipment history for any unexpected deliveries or charges. Unfamiliar activity — such as packages you didn’t order or payments you didn’t authorize — could be a sign someone is misusing your account or information.
• Tighten your UPS account security settings: Protect your UPS account with a strong password, and update it regularly. Additionally, take extra precautions, such as removing unnecessary users, requiring signatures for deliveries, and preemptively denying any incoming third-party charges.
• Track deliveries through the official UPS website: Always track your packages directly on UPS.com or the official UPS app rather than clicking links in texts or emails. This ensures you’re seeing legitimate shipment information and not a phishing link or spoofed website.
• Block scam numbers and email addresses: If you recognize a UPS scam message, block the scam phone number or email address that sent it. This may help reduce the chance of being targeted again by the same scammers.
• Contact UPS directly: If you’re ever unsure about whether a UPS text or email is real, get in touch with UPS for verification. You can call UPS customer support at 1-800-742-5877 or visit the UPS online contact center for more options.
• Invest in identity theft protection: LifeLock monitors millions of online data points per second to track where your personal information is used. If a scammer steals your information to commit identity theft, suspicious activity alerts help you take action quickly to protect yourself and restore your identity.

What to do if you fall for a UPS scam

If you clicked a link in a suspicious message seemingly from UPS, shared personal information, or made a payment, follow these steps to help protect yourself against the consequences of identity theft:

• Update compromised login details: Create new, secure passwords for any accounts that you may have inadvertently given the scammer access to.
• Report resulting identity theft: Submit a report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as soon as possible; doing so may help protect others from the same scam and help stop further misuse of personal information you gave away.
• Set a fraud alert: Place a fraud alert on your credit report to prompt lenders to verify your identity before they allow new accounts to be opened in your name.
• Freeze your credit: If you’ve revealed very sensitive information, place a credit freeze with all three major bureaus to stop scammers from opening new financial accounts in your name.
• Watch your financial accounts: Regularly monitor your bank and credit card accounts for any suspicious or unauthorized transactions.

Stay more secure against scam attempts

Phishing schemes exploit your trust in companies like UPS to deceive you. But if your personal data is stolen, LifeLock can help protect your identity.

With its powerful monitoring tools, you’ll get alerts when LifeLock detects that your personal information is being used to open new lines of credit, allowing you to act quickly to help protect your identity. And, victims of identity theft get financial reimbursement and personalized support from a U.S.-based restoration specialist to help recover.

FAQs

Does UPS send text messages?

Yes. According to UPS, their real text messages come from the number 75137. UPS sends text messages to provide updates about upcoming deliveries. However, they’ll only send you a text message if you actively opted in to receiving SMS notifications, and they’ll never request personal information in a text message.

Does UPS send emails?

Yes. According to UPS, their real emails come from the following links:

• emailinfo@ups.com
• accountconfirm@ups.com
• mcinfo@ups.com
• pkginfo@ups.com
• customer-notifications@ups.com
• auto-notify@ups.com
• invoice-notification@ups.com
• UPSAdministrationSupport@ups.com
• donotreply@ups.com

If you receive an email from one of these email addresses, ensure that the spelling is correct — a common scam tactic is replacing similar-looking characters, for instance “1” and “l,” which could disguise a real email address as “emai1info@ups.com.”

How can I report a UPS scam text message or email?

You can report suspected UPS scams by sending screenshots of suspicious text messages or forwarding suspicious emails to fraud@ups.com. You can also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

What should I do if I click a link in a UPS scam message?

If you open a suspicious link in a UPS scam message, first verify you're on the official UPS website. If the web address looks questionable, avoid providing personal information and close the browser immediately. If you've already shared details, update passwords for compromised accounts and watch for unauthorized activity in your financial accounts.