You’re sitting on the couch, maybe halfway through a Netflix episode, and your phone buzzes. It’s a text. "USPS: The delivery address for your package is incorrect. Please update your details here to avoid return to sender." There’s a link. It looks official. You might even be actually waiting for a package from eBay or Amazon.
Stop.
Honestly, this is how they get you.
The short answer is yes, the United States Postal Service does send text messages, but—and this is a massive "but"—they almost never send them the way you think. If you didn't specifically go to the USPS website and click a box to request an alert for a specific tracking number, that text on your phone is a lie. It's a scam.
Does USPS Send You Text Messages Out of the Blue?
No. Never.
The Postal Service is a government agency, and they are surprisingly strict about how they talk to you. They don't just "find" your phone number and decide to let you know a package is stuck. To get a real text from them, you have to be the one to start the conversation.
Think of it like this: USPS is the quietest roommate you've ever had. They won't say a word to you unless you ask them a question first.
How the Real System Works
If you want legitimate updates, you have to opt-in. This happens in two very specific ways. First, you can go to the official USPS Tracking page and enter a tracking number. Once the status pops up, there’s a little dropdown menu for "Text & Email Updates." You put your number in there, you check some boxes, and then they text you.
The second way involves your own initiative. You can text your tracking number to 28777 (which spells out 2USPS). They will send you a one-time reply with the current status. That's it. No links to "update your address" and no requests for a redelivery fee.
Spotting the "Smishing" Scams in 2026
Scammers have gotten incredibly good at mimicking the "look" of a government alert. They use the logo. They use phrases like "Action Required" or "Final Notice." But they always trip up on the same few things because they’re trying to steal your data, not deliver a box.
The link is the biggest giveaway. A real USPS text notification will contain your tracking number and a status update (like "Delivered" or "In Transit"). It will almost never contain a link. Scammers, on the other hand, need you to click. They’ll send you to a site that looks like USPS but the URL is something weird like usps-delivery-verify.com or package-redelivery-service.net.
If the URL isn't just plain old usps.com, it's a trap.
The "Address Update" Trick
One of the most common texts going around right now claims your package has an "incomplete address." It’s clever because address errors actually happen. But here is the reality: if USPS can't deliver a package due to a bad address, they don't text you to fix it on a website. They usually just send it back to the sender or leave a physical "Peach Slip" (Form 3849) at your door.
They aren't going to ask you for 30 cents to "re-verify" your home. That 30-cent charge is just a way to get your credit card number into their system. Once they have it, they aren't charging 30 cents; they're buying a MacBook in another state.
Why Real USPS Texts Look Different
When you actually sign up for USPS Text Tracking, the messages are incredibly boring. That’s a good thing. A legitimate message from 28777 will usually look like this:
USPS 9400100000000000000000, Delivered 01/14/2026 12:30pm WACONIA MN 55387. Reply STOP to cancel.
Notice what’s missing? No "Click here." No "Your package is at risk." No sense of panic. It’s just data.
Informed Delivery is the Gold Standard
If you’re the type of person who gets a lot of mail and wants to stay safe, you should probably just sign up for Informed Delivery. It's a free service where they scan the front of your mail every morning and email you a preview. You can also track packages through the Informed Delivery dashboard.
When you use the official app or dashboard, you don't have to worry about whether a text is real. You just check the app. If the app says your package is fine, then that "urgent" text you just got is garbage.
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What to Do if You Get a Fake Text
If you've received a suspicious message, do not—under any circumstances—click the link. Even clicking it can sometimes trigger a malware download or tell the scammer that your phone number is "active," which leads to even more spam.
- Report it: The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) actually wants to see these. You can take a screenshot and email it to
spam@uspis.gov. - Copy the text: If you're feeling extra helpful, you can forward the actual text message to 7726 (which spells "SPAM"). This goes to your wireless carrier so they can block the sender on a network level.
- Delete and Block: Once you’ve reported it, block the number and delete the thread.
Protecting Your Information
The goal of these texts is "smishing"—which is just "phishing" via SMS. They want your name, your address, and your plastic.
If you already clicked a link and entered your credit card info, you need to call your bank immediately. Don't wait for a charge to show up. Tell them you entered your info into a fraudulent site. They’ll kill the card and send you a new one. It's a pain, but it's better than having your identity sold on a forum.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Audit your alerts: If you didn't sign up for USPS alerts at
usps.comin the last few days, assume any text you get is fake. - Check the sender: Real USPS texts come from the 5-digit short code 28777, not a random 10-digit phone number or an email address formatted as a text.
- Use the official site: Always manual-type
usps.cominto your browser if you want to track something. Never use a link from a text message. - Sign up for Informed Delivery: It’s the safest way to monitor your mail without relying on unpredictable text alerts.