How do I report a mail or parcel delivery scam?
Report smishing parcel scam texts to 7726 and to the courier being impersonated. Report mail fraud in the US to the Postal Inspection Service at postalinspectors.uspis.gov.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Mail and parcel scams fall into two main types: smishing messages impersonating couriers (Royal Mail, DHL, FedEx, UPS) asking you to pay a small 'customs fee' by clicking a link, and physical mail fraud such as prize notifications, fake lottery letters, and advance fee letters sent by post.
For smishing texts, forward to 7726 and report to the courier being impersonated via their official fraud reporting page. Most major couriers have a dedicated phishing report email address. Do not click any link in the message. Royal Mail, DHL, and FedEx all state they do not send payment request texts; any such text is fraudulent.
For physical mail fraud in the US, report to the US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) at postalinspectors.uspis.gov or call 1-877-876-2455. The USPIS investigates mail fraud and can take action against companies sending fraudulent letters. Preserve the original envelope and all contents as evidence.
In the UK, report suspicious postal mail to Action Fraud and to Royal Mail's fraud team if Royal Mail's branding was misused. Citizens Advice handles consumer complaints about deceptive direct mail from traders.
Common red flags
- A text claimed a parcel was held pending a small customs or redelivery fee
- A letter congratulated you on winning a prize you never entered
- The mailing included a cheque requiring you to pay processing fees before depositing
- An official-looking envelope contained a request for personal or financial details
- The letter appeared to come from a government department but had unusual payment instructions
- A courier notification asked for payment before your parcel would be released
What to do now
- Forward scam texts to 7726 and report to the courier being impersonated
- Report physical mail fraud to the USPIS (US) or Action Fraud (UK)
- Preserve the original envelope, letter, and any enclosures
- Do not click links in suspicious texts
- Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- See /scams/mail-courier-scams for how these scams are structured
Frequently asked questions
Do real couriers ever charge for re-delivery by text?
Legitimate couriers may notify you of a delivery attempt by text, but they will not ask you to follow a link and pay a fee to release a parcel. If you are genuinely unsure, go directly to the courier's official website and track your parcel there.
Can I report mail fraud anonymously?
Yes. The US Postal Inspection Service accepts anonymous tips. You can submit without your personal information if you prefer not to be identified.