Fake Delivery 'Reschedule + Fee' Voicemail Scam Examples
A voicemail claims a courier attempted to deliver a parcel but could not complete it, and that a small rescheduling or redelivery fee is needed, directing you to call back a number or visit a link to pay. Because many people are genuinely expecting deliveries, the plausible, low-cost request makes it easy to pay without much thought, and the payment page or callback agent is designed to capture full card details. The small amount is deliberately chosen to avoid suspicion. Check any real deliveries directly through the courier's official tracking tool or app rather than the voicemail's link or number.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
This is a message from [courier]. We were unable to deliver your parcel today. A rescheduling fee of [amount] is required. Call [fake number] or visit [fake link].
You have a parcel awaiting delivery. Please pay a [amount] storage fee within 24 hours to avoid return. Use the link in our follow-up text.
Automated delivery notification: your item is held at a local depot. A handling charge of [amount] is due. Press 1 to pay now.
Final delivery attempt. A redelivery surcharge of [amount] applies. Provide card details to reschedule your slot.
What the scammer wants
To collect a small 'fee' from as many people as possible and harvest card details, knowing that many people are expecting deliveries and will not question a small charge.
Red flags in the message
- Any delivery service asking for a fee via voicemail callback or text link
- A callback number that does not match the courier's official contact
- Urgency — fee must be paid within hours or parcel is returned
- Voicemail followed by a suspicious text with a link
- No specific parcel or tracking reference
A safe response
Do not call back or click any link in a follow-up text. Check your delivery status directly using the tracking number from your order confirmation on the official courier website.
What not to send
- Card details
- Any payment via callback or SMS link
- Personal address or identity information
What to do if you already replied
- Contact your bank immediately if you entered card details
- Report the voicemail to the courier being impersonated and to your national fraud service
- Watch for further phishing attempts on the number used
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot the full message or call details
- Note the sender number, email, or profile
- Save any links (without clicking) and payment details
- Record dates and times
Frequently asked questions
I'm actually expecting a package — how do I know if this voicemail is about a real delivery?
Check your order or tracking directly through the retailer's or courier's official website or app, typed or opened yourself rather than via the voicemail's callback number or link. Genuine delivery issues are almost always visible in your tracking history without needing to pay a fee to reschedule.
I called the number back and paid the small fee — what should I do?
Contact your card issuer to flag the charge and ask about monitoring the card for further unauthorized activity, since giving card details to a scam callback line often leads to additional fraudulent charges. Also check your actual delivery status through the courier's official channel.
Do couriers really ask for a fee to reschedule a delivery?
Rescheduling a missed delivery is typically free or handled automatically through the courier's official app or website, not through a voicemail demanding a card payment over the phone. Any request for a fee to release or reschedule a parcel should be checked independently before paying.
Is it safe to just delete the voicemail without calling back?
Yes, if you have genuine concerns about a delivery, check it directly through the courier's official tracking tool rather than calling the number in the voicemail. Deleting the message and blocking the number, if possible, is a safe response.