I got a text saying a package for my deceased relative needs a customs fee to be released. Is this a scam?
Yes, this is a common variation of the package delivery scam, adapted to target grieving families by referencing a deceased relative to seem more personal and urgent.
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Explanation
This scam follows the same pattern as generic 'unpaid customs fee' delivery scams, but scammers add the deceased person's name, likely pulled from an obituary, to make the message feel targeted and credible. The text usually contains a link to a fake courier tracking page that asks for a small card payment to 'release' a package, which is really designed to harvest your card details for later fraudulent charges.
Real couriers do not typically request customs or delivery fees via text message links, and certainly would not know to address a message around a recently deceased customer unless the family had actually ordered something, which is worth checking with living family members first. The fee requested is usually small, deliberately so, to avoid triggering bank fraud alerts and to make victims think it is not worth disputing.
Once card details are entered on the fake site, scammers may attempt further charges, sell the details to other fraud rings, or use the same page to install malware if you're on certain device or browser combinations.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited text with a link asking for a payment to release a package
- Message references the deceased relative's name specifically
- Sender number is a random mobile number rather than an official short code
- URL in the link does not match the courier's real domain
- No one in the family recalls ordering anything that would need customs clearance
What to do now
- Do not click the link or enter any card details
- Check directly with the courier's official app or website using the tracking number, if any, typed manually rather than through the link
- Delete the text and block the sending number
- If you already entered card details, contact your bank immediately to cancel the card and monitor for fraudulent charges
- Report the text to your telecom provider's spam reporting service and national fraud reporting center
Frequently asked questions
Can these texts actually know my relative has died?
Yes, scammers commonly source names and dates from public obituaries and death notices, then send mass texts hoping some recipients will believe the message is genuinely tied to a real parcel.
What if I did order something for the deceased before they passed?
Contact the retailer or courier directly using their official website or app rather than any link in the text, since genuine delivery issues are handled through verified channels, not unsolicited payment links.