FedEx scam texts: a delivery problem that isn’t
A text from an ordinary phone number about a FedEx parcel that needs a fee, an address or your details, with a link, is a scam.
FedEx says it doesn’t ask for payment or personal details by unsolicited text, email or mail in return for a parcel. The link leads to a copy of a FedEx page that takes your card number or your account password.
FedEx gives the same reporting address, [email protected], in other countries. The bank and reporting steps work anywhere; report it where you live.
What it looks like
An example written by HARD, not a real message. Real ones change wording often.
Text from +1 (512) 555-0182
FedEx: Your shipment 7741 is pending due to unpaid duties of $1.99. Pay now to schedule delivery: [a link that isn’t fedex.com]
Check the one you got
Paste what you were sent. HARD checks it in this browser with the same rules as the Is this legit? check in its apps. Nothing you paste leaves this page.
How to tell it’s fake
“FedEx does not request, via unsolicited mail, text or email, payment or personal information”
FedEx (copy archived 12 May 2023)
- It comes from a personal-looking number.
- FedEx warns of texts from 10-digit numbers or generic email addresses saying there’s a problem with a shipment.
- It wants a fee or details to release the parcel.
- Customs duties, a redelivery charge or a form for your card. FedEx says it doesn’t ask for these by unsolicited text.
- The link isn’t fedex.com.
- FedEx says to be careful of links that don’t go to fedex.com. A real brand name with extra words or an odd ending is a lookalike.
- You weren’t expecting anything from FedEx.
- If no shop told you it shipped with FedEx, the text has nothing to do with you.
If you clicked, called or paid
- Close the page if you didn’t type anything.
- Don’t go back to it.
- Call your bank if you paid or typed in card details.
- Use the number on the back of your card, not one from the message. Ask them to block the card, dispute the charge and watch for more. The sooner you call, the better the chance of stopping it.
- Change any password you typed in.
- On the real FedEx site or app, and anywhere you reused it.
- Report it.
- Forward the text or email to [email protected]. In the US, forward the text to 7726 and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or to the FBI at ic3.gov. Outside the US: Report Fraud in the UK (reportfraud.police.uk, which replaced Action Fraud), Scamwatch in Australia, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre in Canada. Forward scam texts to 7726 in the US, UK and Canada.
If it was your parents, read Look after your parents, and if a card number or password has gone, Breaches explains what each kind of leaked data lets criminals do.
The official way to check
- Track it yourself.
- Type fedex.com into your browser or open the FedEx app, and enter the tracking number from the shop’s order email.
- Call FedEx on its own number.
- In the US, 1.800.GoFedEx (1.800.463.3339), as FedEx lists it.
Someone on the phone asking for money right now? Guides has the two-step answer. More scams by name are on Is this a scam?, and new ones reach the Situation Room.
Questions
Does FedEx text you about a delivery fee?
FedEx says it doesn’t ask for payment or personal information by unsolicited text, email or mail in return for goods in transit. Check any fee by tracking the parcel on fedex.com yourself.
Where do I report a FedEx scam text?
Forward it to [email protected]. In the US, also forward it to 7726 and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
I paid a FedEx fee from a text. What now?
Call your bank on the number on the back of your card, ask them to block the card and dispute the charge, and watch your statements for more charges.
Sources
Sources checked on 7 Nov 2026.
- FedEx: Recognize and report fraud, Internet Archive copy of 12 May 2023; fedex.com blocks automated readers, and its current regional pages show the same wording in search: no payment or personal details by unsolicited text, email or mail; texts from 10-digit numbers; [email protected]; IC3 or your state attorney general.
- California Attorney General: alert on delivery and toll text scams, 6 March 2025: delivery companies don’t ask for payment to release a package or fix a delivery error.
- FTC: How to recognize and report spam text messages, July 2022: forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) and report them at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.