Check a package delivery text without tapping

You're expecting a package, and a text says there's a problem with the delivery. It may ask you to update your address or pay a small fee. The timing can make the message feel believable, especially when you're waiting for more than one order.

You don't have to decide whether the text is real by looking at it. You can check a package delivery text safely by leaving the message and opening the retailer or delivery company's account yourself. Here's a calm way to find out what, if anything, needs your attention.

Pause before using the message

Don't tap the link, call a number in the text, reply, or enter payment details. A familiar company name or logo is easy to copy. A message that mentions a package doesn't prove that the sender knows about your order.

Some delivery notices are genuine. Others are attempts to lead you to a look-alike website that asks for personal or financial information. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service explains that scammers send texts pretending to be delivery notices. It advises people expecting a USPS package to go to USPS.com independently instead of using a suspicious link.

A request to act immediately, correct an address, or pay a fee is a reason to pause and check, not a reason to panic. Even if you recognize the company or recently placed an order, use a route you chose yourself.

Start with your order

Close the text and open the retailer's app that you already use, or type its known website address into your browser. A bookmark you previously checked is another good starting point. Don't use the link in the text or a phone number it provides.

Sign in as you normally would, if needed. Find Orders, Order history, or a similar section. The wording varies by store. Look for the item you're expecting and open its delivery details within the account. Compare the item, delivery address, carrier, and status with your own records.

If you have several orders on the way, check each one separately. A text may mention a carrier without identifying the store or item, so don't assume it belongs to the first order you find. If the retailer shows no problem, you don't need to take the action requested by the text. Delivery information can change, so check the account again later if you're still unsure.

Our guide to organizing trusted account bookmarks can help you save a familiar route for next time. A bookmark is useful only after you've checked that it leads to the right site.

Check with the carrier when needed

If the order details show which company is delivering the package, open that carrier's app or type its official address yourself. You can also use a previously verified bookmark. If you're unsure of the address, ask the retailer through a contact method you already trust or look at paperwork you kept from the purchase.

Use the tracking number shown inside your retailer account or another record you already trust. Enter it on the carrier's tracking page, not on a page opened from the text. A tracking number in an unexpected message isn't proof that the message is genuine.

Compare the carrier's status with the retailer's details. If the two don't match, or a delivery problem remains unclear, contact the retailer or carrier using a number from your own records or its independently opened official site. Ask whether the package needs any action and how to handle it through the normal account. If a fee really is due, verify the amount and payment method there before paying.

For a gift or an order someone else placed for you, ask that person to check their order account. You can do this without asking them to share a password or a one-time sign-in code. If you don't know the sender or aren't expecting anything, it's fine to leave the message alone.

Report and remove a suspicious text

You can forward a suspicious text to 7726 (SPAM), then delete it. Your phone's menus vary; if you need help finding the forwarding option, ask someone you trust to sit with you. Don't open the link while forwarding the message.

For a message pretending to be from USPS, the Postal Inspection Service's reporting instructions also explain how to send the message and a screenshot to its reporting address. You can report suspected fraud to the Federal Trade Commission. Reporting is optional, but it can help the organizations investigating these messages.

If you already tapped or entered information

It's okay to stop now. Close the page and don't provide anything else. Tapping a link doesn't by itself tell you what happened, so think about whether you entered a password, payment information, or other personal details.

If you entered a password, go independently to the real account and change it. If you shared card or bank details, contact your bank or card issuer promptly using the number on your card or a trusted statement. The Postal Inspection Service also advises contacting your financial institution if you interacted with the suspicious USPS link. Tell them what happened and follow their guidance.

For help using your phone, see our smartphone basics guide. Our guide to email phishing explains related warning signs in messages. You can ask a trusted person to help you check an order while you remain in control of your account.

The next time a delivery text arrives, remember the simple route: leave the message, open the account yourself, and check the order there.