You’re sitting on the couch, maybe halfway through a sandwich, when your phone buzzes. It’s a text message. "The USPS package has arrived at the warehouse but cannot be delivered due to incomplete address information," it says. There's a link. It looks official enough, right? Maybe you actually are expecting a pair of boots or a new blender. You pause. You wonder. Does the USPS text you out of the blue like this?
The short answer is almost always no.
Honestly, the United States Postal Service is one of the most impersonated brands in the world. It’s a massive target. Scammers know that nearly every adult in America uses the mail, so the "spray and pray" method of sending out millions of these texts—called "smishing"—actually works. But here’s the nuanced truth: The USPS can text you, but only if you specifically asked them to. They don't just find your number in a database and decide to give you a friendly heads-up about a box.
The mechanics of how USPS tracking actually works
The Postal Service doesn't just "have" your phone number linked to every package. Think about it. When you buy something from an online boutique or eBay, you give the seller your number for their records. The shipping label usually just has your name and address. Unless the sender specifically used a service that integrates SMS alerts, the USPS system is basically blind to your mobile device.
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If you want updates, you have to initiate the process. This is the biggest red flag. If you didn't go to the official USPS.com website, enter a specific tracking number, and click "Text Updates," then any text you get is a lie. Period. It’s a scammer sitting in a room somewhere—often overseas—hoping you're distracted enough to click.
Real USPS texts come from a "short code." This is a five-digit number. Specifically, 28777. If the message is coming from a standard 10-digit phone number, or worse, an email address disguised as a text (like support@usps-delivery-check.com), delete it immediately. The real system is automated. It’s dry. It doesn’t use emojis. It doesn't sound urgent or panicked.
Why the "Incomplete Address" hook is so effective
Scammers are clever psychologists. They use a tactic called "loss aversion." By telling you your package is stuck because of a missing apartment number or a typo in the zip code, they trigger a "need to fix it" response in your brain. You don't want to lose your stuff.
The link they provide usually leads to a "cloned" website. It looks identical to the USPS blue-and-white branding. It might even have a working search bar. But once you "update" your address, they’ll ask for a small "redelivery fee." It’s usually something tiny, like 30 cents or 1.95. Most people think, "It’s just a dollar, whatever."
But they don't want your dollar. They want your credit card number.
Once you type those digits into their fake form, they have your billing address, your CVV, and your full name. Within minutes, that card is being drained or sold on a dark-web marketplace. It’s a high-stakes game disguised as a minor inconvenience.
Identifying the anatomy of a fake USPS text
Let’s get into the weeds. Real USPS messages have a very specific structure. They include the tracking number, the status of the package, and maybe the time. They do not include links to "verify your identity" or "pay a fee."
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Actually, the USPS explicitly states on their official security page that they do not send random texts with links. If there is a link in a message you didn't request, that’s your smoking gun.
- The URL test: Look closely at the link. A real USPS link will always end in .com/ or .gov/. Fake ones use weird extensions like .top, .info, .site, or .biz. Sometimes they get sneaky and use "https://www.google.com/search?q=usps-post-office.com." That hyphen is a dead giveaway.
- The Greeting: Real alerts are automated. They don't say "Dear customer" or "Hello friend." They just give you the data.
- The Tone: If the text sounds like it was written by someone who is trying too hard to be professional, it’s probably fake. Scammers often use slightly "off" English. Words like "parcel" are used more frequently in scam texts than in actual USPS communications, which tend to prefer "package" or "item."
What to do if you've already clicked
Maybe you're reading this and realizing you clicked that link twenty minutes ago. Don't panic, but act fast.
If you just clicked the link but didn't enter any info, you're probably okay, though your phone might have been flagged as an "active" number, meaning you'll get more spam in the future. However, if you entered your credit card info, call your bank right now. Cancel the card. Don't "wait and see."
You should also report the scam. The USPS has a dedicated email for this: spam@uspis.gov. You can take a screenshot of the text and send it there. Then, block the number and delete the thread.
For those who are truly tech-savvy, you can check your browser history to see where that link actually redirected. Often, these sites use multiple "hops" to hide their true origin. It's a rabbit hole of redirects that usually ends in a server located in a jurisdiction that doesn't cooperate with U.S. law enforcement.
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The USPS Informed Delivery factor
There is one exception to the "don't trust texts" rule, and that’s Informed Delivery. This is a legitimate, free service where the USPS scans your mail and sends you a digital preview.
When you sign up for Informed Delivery, you can opt into SMS notifications. Even then, the texts follow the strict rules mentioned earlier. They come from 28777. They don't ask for money. If you're worried about missing a package, the best way to handle it is to go directly to the USPS website or use their official app. Never, ever use the link provided in a random text.
Real-world examples of recent smishing campaigns
In late 2024 and throughout 2025, a massive campaign targeted people in the Midwest and Northeast. The texts claimed that "Your package has been placed on hold at the sorting center." These were particularly effective because they coincided with the holiday shipping rush.
The USPIS (United States Postal Inspection Service) noted that these scammers are now using "URL shorteners" like Bitly or TinyURL to hide the destination. While these tools are used by legitimate businesses, the USPS doesn't use them for tracking. If you see a shortened link, it’s a trap.
Another variation involves "unpaid customs fees." The USPS does not collect customs fees via text message. If an international package has a duty fee, you typically pay that at the post office or through a very formal process involving a paper notice left at your door.
Nuance: The "Wait, I actually did get a text!" moment
There are times when a legitimate company you bought from sends you a text about your USPS shipment. For example, if you buy something from Shopify or Amazon, they might send you a text saying "Your USPS package #1234 is out for delivery."
Note the difference: The text is coming from the retailer, not the USPS. The retailer has your phone number because you gave it to them at checkout. The USPS is just the carrier. If you get a text from a store you recognize, it’s likely safe. If the text claims to be from the post office itself, be skeptical.
How to safely track your mail without getting hacked
The safest way to handle mail tracking is to be proactive. Instead of waiting for the phone to buzz, use these tools:
- The Official App: Download the USPS Mobile app. It’s secure, and it uses your phone's native notification system rather than SMS, which is much harder to spoof.
- Manual Entry: Copy your tracking number from your order confirmation email and paste it directly into the search bar at tools.usps.com.
- Informed Delivery Dashboard: Log into your dashboard once a day. You’ll see everything coming your way—packages and letters—without ever needing to click a link in a text message.
We live in an era where our digital attention is a commodity. Scammers know that if they send 10,000 texts, at least 100 people will be expecting a package that day. It's a numbers game. By understanding that the USPS does not text you unless you've gone through a multi-step verification process, you effectively remove yourself from their "victim" pool.
Actionable Next Steps for Better Security
- Audit your notifications: Go to the USPS website and check your Informed Delivery settings. If you don't need SMS alerts, turn them off and rely on the app or email.
- Set up a "burn" email: Use a secondary email address for online shopping. This keeps your primary inbox cleaner and makes it easier to spot when a random text is trying to fish for your real identity.
- Report the fakes: Copy the text of any suspicious message and forward it to 7726 (which spells "SPAM"). This alerts your mobile carrier to the malicious number.
- Check your statements: If you've even thought about clicking a link recently, scan your bank statements for small "test" charges. Scammers often start with a $0.05 charge to see if a card is active before hitting it for the big stuff.
Protecting yourself isn't about being paranoid; it's about being informed. The Postal Service is a 200-year-old institution that still relies heavily on paper and official channels. They aren't going to suddenly start texting you like a worried friend about a smudge on your shipping label. Keep your guard up, keep your data close, and when in doubt, just go to the post office in person. They'll tell you exactly where your package is—no links required.