Fake Tracking Number Scams on SMS / Text
Scam texts supply fake tracking numbers and links posing as shipment updates, leading to phishing pages that steal card and login details.
Part of: Fake Tracking Number Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
A fake tracking number text mirrors the genuine shipping alerts people receive constantly: a short update, a tracking reference, a link to follow the parcel. The format is so familiar that the fake version slips past suspicion, especially when an order is expected.
SMS suits this scam because real couriers text tracking updates, and a single tappable link leads to a convincing but fraudulent page. The bogus tracking number adds a sense of legitimacy that nudges the recipient to tap without checking.
How this scam works on SMS / text
The text says your parcel is in transit, delayed, or awaiting an action, and gives a tracking number with a link to 'view status' or 'resolve' the delivery. The sender ID may be styled to resemble a courier.
The link opens a cloned tracking or login page that harvests your credentials or card details, sometimes after requesting a small 'fee'. The tracking number leads nowhere genuine.
If you are awaiting a real parcel, the timing makes the fake update persuasive, prompting a tap before you verify with the retailer.
Common red flags
- A text gives a tracking number and link for a parcel you cannot confirm
- The link opens a tracking or login page requesting your details
- A small 'fee' is requested to release or redeliver the parcel
- The sender ID is styled to look like a courier
- The link's address does not match the courier's official domain
- You are urged to resolve a delivery issue quickly
How to protect yourself
- Track parcels only through the retailer or courier's official site or app
- Do not tap tracking links in unexpected texts
- Match any tracking number against your genuine order confirmation
- Never enter card or login details on a page reached from a text
- Delete the message and block the sender
- Check with the retailer if you are expecting a genuine parcel
How to report it
- Forward the text to your national smishing or spam reporting number where available
- Report the impersonation to the courier or retailer via its official site
- File a report with your local fraud or cybercrime reporting service
Frequently asked questions
I got a tracking text but did not order anything — what is it?
A tracking text for a parcel you did not order is a scam. The link leads to a phishing page that steals your details. Ignore it, do not tap the link, and track any genuine orders through official channels instead.