Waiting on a package makes you vulnerable. Scammers know it. The #1 smishing scam in 2026 is still the fake delivery fee — usually $1.99 to “release” or “re-deliver” a parcel.
"USPS: Your package is on hold due to incomplete address. Pay $1.99 re-delivery fee within 12 hours: https://usps-deliver-fee.co/track?id=88421"
USPS, UPS, FedEx, Amazon — same playbook
Carriers and Amazon will never ask you to pay a re-delivery fee through a link in a random text. Real tracking happens when you go to usps.com, ups.com, fedex.com, or amazon.com/your-orders.
Red flags
- Small odd fee ($1.99, $2.99, $0.99)
- 12-hour deadline
- Misspelled domain (amazon-security.co, usps-track.net)
- You weren't expecting a package — or the tracking ID is gibberish
What to do
- Don't pay. Don't tap.
- If expecting mail: open the retailer or carrier site yourself
- Paste the text into ScamCheck
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM) on most US carriers