5 UPS Text Scam Examples

Updated on July 7, 2025.

A UPS text scam occurs when someone impersonates a UPS representative by sending deceptive text messages. These messages usually contain false information and malicious links designed to trick you into revealing personal information or making payments. Some examples of UPS text scams include confirming details about a fake delivery, false package delivery notifications, requests for non-existent delivery fees, fraudulent suspicious activity alerts on your UPS account or claims that there’s been an error with a delivery. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers lost approximately $470 million to scams that began with text messages in 2024, with fake package delivery scams being the leading type.

Keep reading to learn the five most common UPS text scams and helpful tips to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

1. Requests to confirm delivery details

In this type of UPS text scam, you’ll receive a message asking you to click on a link to confirm details about your delivery, including your shipping address or special delivery instructions. It’s important not to click on this link because doing so could trigger an immediate malware download, infecting your device and putting your personal information at risk of being stolen.

Sometimes, the link in this type of scam may take you to a spoofed website, which is one that appears legitimate at first glance. However, a spoofed website is designed to trick you into entering sensitive information, like login credentials or credit card numbers, in order to steal your private data.

2. Fake notifications about a UPS package delivery

You might receive a text message claiming that a package delivery was attempted but couldn’t be completed, or that your package is being held at a UPS facility and needs to be rescheduled. If you aren’t expecting any packages, this kind of text should raise a red flag.

Just like other scams, this text message often includes a link urging you to click and “reschedule” the delivery. Since there’s no real package, scammers hope to trick you into sharing personal information or payment details for a delivery that doesn’t exist.

3. Demanding payment of a fake delivery fee

In this UPS text scam, you’ll receive a text message claiming you need to pay an additional fee for UPS to deliver your package. The message typically includes a link prompting you to submit your payment information. It’s important to be cautious of these texts because once you enter your information, it goes straight to scammers seeking to steal your money and personal information.

4. Alerts about suspicious activity on your UPS account

If you receive a text claiming there’s suspicious activity on your UPS account and urging you to update your account information, do not click the link in the message. The link will likely lead to a spoofed website that looks almost identical to UPS’s official site but is designed to compromise your real account if you enter your login credentials.

5. Claims that something went wrong with your delivery

This text scam involves a message claiming there was an issue with your delivery, like no one being home to sign for it or an unpaid delivery fee. The message will urge you to click a link for a new tracking number. Like other scams, this link typically leads to a malicious website designed to steal your login credentials, payment information or other personal data.

Signs of a UPS text scam

Now that you know the most common UPS text scams, here are some more general warning signs that a UPS text message might actually be a scam:

• You aren’t expecting a package from UPS
• The message strongly urges you to click a link immediately
• It asks you to pay an unexpected fee
• The text comes from an unfamiliar phone number
• The tracking number provided doesn’t match a real UPS shipment
• The link directs you to a website that looks suspicious or isn’t the official UPS site
• The message contains spelling and/or grammatical errors

How to avoid falling for UPS text scams

Recognizing the most common UPS text scam examples is helpful, but knowing how to actively avoid falling for these scams can better protect your private information. Luckily, there are several easy ways to stay protected against UPS text scams.

Track all UPS deliveries on the official UPS website

After you receive confirmation of your delivery from UPS, enter the tracking number they provide into the official UPS tracking tool to check its status. This ensures you receive accurate updates directly from the source, so you can monitor its location, get estimated delivery dates and confirm whether a delivery attempt was made. Avoid clicking on tracking links in unsolicited texts, and manually enter the tracking number on UPS’s official website to keep your personal information safe.

Never click unsolicited links in messages

As shown in some of the examples above, scammers will try to lure you into clicking a link to infect your device with malware or steal your personal information. If you want to check that a link is safe, you can copy and paste it into a URL checker, such as Google Transparency Report. Be careful not to accidentally click on the link while copying, as that would put you at risk before you even get a chance to check its safety.

Use a strong, unique password and enable MFA on your UPS account

Protect your UPS account by creating a strong, unique password. Make it at least 16 characters long and use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Avoid using easily guessable information, like your pet’s name or your birthdate, since scammers can usually find these details about you online.

For an additional safety measure, enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on your UPS account. MFA requires you to verify your identity with more than just a password; you can use a Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) code or an authenticator app. That way, even if someone steals your login credentials, they won’t be able to access your UPS account without the extra form of authentication.

Report suspicious text messages to UPS

If you receive a text message claiming to be from UPS and something feels off, don’t hesitate to verify its legitimacy by contacting UPS directly. You can report any suspicious texts, calls or emails through UPS’s official Help and Support Center. This helps protect you and others from falling victim to UPS text scams in the future.

Stay one step ahead of UPS text scams

Even if you haven’t received a UPS text scam yet, it’s important to stay vigilant since scammers are always improving their tactics. If you do accidentally fall victim to a scam, the first thing you should do is change your UPS account password immediately to prevent further unauthorized activity. Using a reliable password manager like Keeper^® can simplify this process. With its built-in password generator, Keeper can create a strong, unique password for your UPS account and securely store your login credentials in an encrypted vault.

Start your free 30-day trial of Keeper Password Manager today to protect not only your UPS account but all your online accounts from being compromised.

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