You’re sitting on the couch, your phone pings, and there it is: a text saying your USPS package is on hold because of an "incomplete address." It looks official. It feels urgent. You might even be actually waiting for a box of coffee filters or a new pair of shoes.
But wait. Honestly, the first thing you should know is that the United States Postal Service is incredibly picky about how they talk to you. They aren't just sliding into your DMs to chat about a zip code error.
👉 See also: Dyson Hot Cold Fan Remote: Why These Tiny Remotes Are So Frustratingly Hard to Replace
So, will USPS send text messages to your phone? Yeah, they will. But—and this is a huge but—only if you asked them to first. If you didn't go to their website and specifically check a box or text a tracking number to a five-digit code, that message in your inbox is almost certainly a scam.
How Official USPS Text Tracking Actually Works
The USPS doesn't just have your phone number on file to use whenever a package feels lonely. To get a real text, you have to initiate the process. Most people do this through USPS Text Tracking.
Basically, you take your 20-to-22-digit tracking number and text it to 28777 (2USPS). That’s the official short code. Once you send that, they’ll reply with the latest status. You can also sign up on their website while you’re looking at a tracking page. You’ll see a little dropdown for "Text & Email Updates."
If you’ve set up Informed Delivery, you can also toggle on text alerts. This is a pretty cool service where you get a digital preview of your mail. But again, you have to be the one to flip the switch in your account settings.
The Dead Giveaways of a "Smishing" Scam
Scammers love the USPS brand. It’s universal. Everyone gets mail. They use a tactic called "smishing" (SMS phishing) to trick you into clicking links. Here is the weird thing: Official USPS tracking texts never, ever include a link.
If you see a URL like usps-delivery-update.com or pkg-tracking-us.net, it's a trap. These links usually lead to a very convincing fake website that asks for a "redelivery fee" (usually 30 cents or some small amount) just to get your credit card info.
Here is a quick reality check on what a real USPS text looks like versus a fake one:
- The Sender: Real ones come from 28777. Fakes often come from an 11-digit international number or a random Gmail address.
- The Content: A real text says something like "USPS 94001000... Delivered 01/15/2026." It’s dry. It’s boring.
- The Hook: Scammers use drama. "Your package will be returned to sender in 24 hours!" or "Action Required: Update your house number."
- The Cost: USPS does not charge for redelivery. If a text asks for money to bring a package back to your door, it’s a lie.
What Really Happened With the "Incomplete Address" Wave
Lately, there’s been a massive surge in texts claiming your address is "missing a house number" or "has an invalid zip code." It’s clever because it plays on a common mistake. People genuinely forget to put their apartment number all the time.
🔗 Read more: Fire TV Android app: Why your phone is actually the best remote you own
However, think about the logistics. If the USPS actually had a package with an unreadable address, they wouldn't know your phone number to text you about it. The number isn't printed on the outside of your standard Amazon or eBay box in a way that the sorting machines can just "call" you.
Scammers send these out to millions of people at once, knowing that at any given moment, a few thousand people are actually expecting a package and might be stressed enough to click.
Nuance: When is it actually the Postal Service?
Let's say you're an Informed Delivery power user. You’ve opted into everything. In that case, you might get a text when a package is "Out for Delivery" or "Delivered."
Even then, the text will always follow the same rigid format. It starts with "USPS," followed by the tracking number. It will end with "Reply HELP 4 help-STOP to cancel."
If you’re ever in doubt, just stop. Close the text. Open your browser and manually type in usps.com. Copy the tracking number from the text (don't click it) and paste it into the official search bar. If the tracking number is fake, the site will tell you immediately.
Dealing With the Aftermath
If you accidentally clicked a link and entered your information, you aren't alone. It happens to the best of us when we're distracted.
First, call your bank if you entered card details. Most of these scammers aren't after the 30-cent "delivery fee"; they want to see if the card is active so they can make a $500 purchase at an electronics store five minutes later.
Second, you can actually fight back a little. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) wants to know about these. You can take a screenshot of the text and email it to spam@uspis.gov. This helps them track the domains these guys are using and shut them down.
✨ Don't miss: Primeros celulares que salieron: La historia real detrás de los ladrillos que cambiaron todo
You can also forward the message to 7726. This is a universal "spam" reporting line for most cell carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. It helps their filters catch the next one before it hits someone else's phone.
Practical Steps for Secure Shipping
- Sign up for Informed Delivery officially: Do it through the real website so you have a dashboard. This is the best way to see what's coming without relying on random texts.
- Set up a "burn" email: If you do a lot of online shopping, use a specific email or phone number for orders. If you get a "delivery" text on a number you never give to retailers, you know it's fake.
- Check the tracking number length: USPS tracking numbers are usually 20 to 22 digits. If the text gives you a short, weird code, it’s not a domestic USPS number.
- Trust the "Short Code": If the message isn't from 28777, be extremely skeptical.
The bottom line? USPS is a government agency. They are slow, methodical, and rarely "urgent" in a text message. If a text feels like a high-stakes thriller, it’s probably a scammer, not your mail carrier.
Next Steps for You
Check your phone's "Spam and Blocked" folder. You might be surprised at how many of these "address update" texts your phone is already catching. If you're expecting a real package right now, go to the official USPS website and sign up for tracking updates there to ensure you're getting the real deal.