7. FedEx Scams
A FedEx text lands differently from most spam because at any given moment, most of us really are waiting on a package. Delivery impersonation borrows that constant low-level expectation, and FedEx makes an ideal costume: familiar enough to trust, businesslike enough that a small fee or a customs form sounds routine.
FedEx entered the top 10 this fall as the USPS "redelivery" texts of the spring faded — the package lure didn't go away, it changed carriers.
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How FedEx is being impersonated
Popular impersonation lures to pay attention to:
The failed-delivery notice
"Our driver attempted delivery today but could not complete it without a signature confirmation." These arrive as polished emails with FedEx branding and a "reschedule" button that leads to a lookalike site asking for personal and card details.
The customs-clearance payment
A text or email saying an inbound shipment is held pending a small duty or clearance fee, with a payment link. Real customs charges exist, which is exactly why this one works — always check the shipment at fedex.com yourself before paying anything.
The voicemail
An automated call saying FedEx was "unable to make a delivery" and asking you to call a number back. FedEx doesn't do this.
The missed-delivery text
The address-confirmation request
"We couldn't complete delivery due to an incomplete address." The form collects personal details and card numbers under cover of a $1 to $3 "verification" charge.
The shipping-label email
Fake delivery notices carrying attachments posing as labels, invoices, or customs forms. Opening them can install malware instead of confirming any shipment.
Second channel checks
Tips for verifying through official channels
- 1
Check it in Scamwise first.
Forward the email to submit@scamwise.com, or paste the text or the link into scamwise.com or the Scamwise mobile app before you tap. Delivery lures live on freshly registered lookalike domains, and domain age is one of our strongest signals — and if a voicemail asks you to call a number back, check the number too.
- 2
Then track it where you ordered it.
Use the tracking number from your order confirmation or door tag at fedex.com, typed yourself. If the "problem" shipment doesn't appear there, it doesn't exist.
- 3
FedEx doesn't collect fees by text link or voicemail.
Genuine customs or delivery charges are handled through your account, at the door or by mailed invoice. If you already entered card details, call the number on the back of your card.