Trace Estes

The Fake “Package Delivery” Scam

A few months ago, I received a text message that looked like it came from a real shipping company. It said something like, “Your package could not be delivered. Click the link to reschedule.” The message even used a company logo and looked official. At first glance, it seemed real, but it was actually a scam.

The goal of this scam was to steal personal and financial information. When people click the link, they’re taken to a fake website designed to look exactly like the company’s real site. It asks for personal information like your name, address, credit card number, or even asks you to download something. Once scammers have that information, they can use it for identity theft, unauthorized charges, or selling the data to others.

The scam works because it uses urgency and familiarity. Many people expect delivery updates, so they react quickly without thinking. The fake website URL usually has a small spelling error or a suspicious domain, but it’s easy to miss if you’re in a hurry.

I could have spotted the scam faster by:

• Checking the sender — real delivery companies don’t text from random numbers.

• Looking closely at the link — fake URLs are usually slightly misspelled or off.

• Going directly to the company’s real website to track any package.

• Searching the message online — most scams are already reported by others.

This experience taught me to pause and verify before clicking anything. Scammers count on people acting fast, so slowing down and double-checking can keep your personal information safe.