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us Money & financial emergencies unexpected customs fee demand • urgent delivery fee text • package stuck in customs text • missed delivery payment request • unpaid shipping fee notice • parcel fee scam message • smishing package tracking • phishing delivery notification • fake usps message • fake ups tracking text • fake fedex delivery email • customs duty payment link • pay to release package • unknown tracking number alert • unexpected package invoice • delivery fee qr code • bogus shipping notification • parcel you did not order

What to do if…
you get an urgent delivery or customs fee demand for a parcel you were not expecting

Short answer

Assume it’s a scam until you confirm there’s a real shipment using the carrier’s official tracking site or official customer service contact details you find yourself.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t click the link, scan a QR code, or install an “update” or “tracking app” from the message.
  • Don’t reply to the text/email or call the number shown in it.
  • Don’t pay “customs,” “tariffs,” “re-delivery,” or “address correction” fees via a link in a text.
  • Don’t share sensitive info (SSN, bank info, card number, passwords) to “release” a package.
  • Don’t pay via gift cards, crypto, wire transfer, or any unusual method for a delivery fee.

What to do now

  1. Stop and save the message (without interacting).
    Screenshot it. Note the sender, date/time, amount requested, and any tracking/reference number.

  2. Check whether you were expecting anything at all.
    Look through recent order confirmations/shipping notices from retailers you trust, and ask household members if they ordered something to your address.

  3. Verify the tracking number the safe way.
    Type the carrier’s official website (USPS/UPS/FedEx/DHL, etc.) into your browser yourself and enter the tracking number there.

    • If the tracking number isn’t found on the official site, or the details don’t match what you know, treat it as a scam.

  4. If it claims “customs,” “import duty,” or “tariff”: verify before paying anyone.
    Legit import charges are typically handled through the carrier/broker process—not an urgent random text.

    • If you truly are importing something, contact the carrier using contact details you look up independently and ask what (if anything) is due.
    • If you’re told you must pay U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), use only official CBP payment services (often via Pay.gov/CBP online services) that you reach by navigating from official CBP sites yourself—not a link from the message.

  5. If you clicked a link or entered payment/personal details, act immediately.

    • If you paid or entered card/bank info: call your bank or card issuer immediately using the number on your card or your official banking app. Ask them to treat it as fraud and protect your account.
    • If you entered a password: change it right away (and anywhere else you reused it) and enable two-factor authentication.

  6. Report the scam (this helps shut it down).

    • Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) to help your wireless provider investigate/block the sender.
    • If it’s USPS-related smishing: email spam@uspis.gov (include the text content and a screenshot showing the sender number and date).
    • Report it to the FTC via its fraud reporting site.
    • If you lost money or shared sensitive info online, consider also reporting to FBI IC3.

  7. If a delivery attempt happens anyway:
    Don’t hand over cash or payment because of a text. You can often refuse delivery if you’re unsure. Either way, verify any real fees later via official carrier channels you initiate.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to decide right now whether to place a credit freeze or fraud alert unless you know highly sensitive identity info (like your SSN) was exposed.
  • You don’t need to engage with the sender to “fix” it. Ignoring and reporting is enough.
  • You don’t need to figure out how they got your number today—focus first on stopping loss and securing accounts.

Important reassurance

These messages are designed to create urgency and get you to pay a small fee quickly. Verifying through official tracking and official customer service channels is the fastest way to stop a scam without missing a real delivery.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate harm-prevention steps. If money left your account or you shared identity details, follow your bank’s fraud process and consider additional identity-theft protections afterward.

Important note

This is general information, not legal or financial advice. If you believe you’re at immediate risk of financial loss, contact your bank/card issuer right away using official contact details.

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