UPS says I owe a redelivery fee, is this text a scam?
Yes. A UPS text claiming a failed delivery and a small redelivery fee to pay at ups-redelivery.example within 24 hours is delivery smishing. UPS doesn't collect redelivery fees through look-alike domains or texted countdowns; it reschedules delivery for free inside your UPS account. The trivial fee is bait to capture your card on a page UPS doesn't run.
Part of our guide: How to avoid online shopping scams →
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With online shopping constant, a "we missed you" delivery text feels routine rather than alarming, which lowers suspicion. The under-two-dollar fee is small enough to pay on autopilot, and that autopilot is exactly what lands a card on ups-redelivery.example before anyone examines the domain.
Illustrative example of the pattern, not a real message someone received.
How to verify it yourself
- Don't click. Track and reschedule at ups.com typed yourself using the tracking number from your order.
- Read the domain: UPS uses ups.com, not ups-redelivery.example or any add-on host.
- UPS reschedules delivery for free in your account; it doesn't charge a fee through a texted link.
- Never enter card details on a page reached from a delivery text, even for a tiny amount.
Common questions
is ups-redelivery.example a real UPS website
No. UPS uses ups.com. ups-redelivery.example is a look-alike built to steal your card via a fake fee.
does UPS charge a redelivery fee by text
No. UPS reschedules delivery for free through your account and doesn't demand fees via SMS links to another domain.
why does UPS want a small fee to redeliver
It doesn't, the scammer set a small amount so paying feels harmless and you don't stop to check the ups-redelivery.example domain.
how do I reschedule a real UPS delivery safely
Go to ups.com yourself, enter your tracking number, and reschedule there, or use a link directly from the retailer you ordered from.
If you already responded
- If you entered your card, call your card issuer using the number on the card and consider a new card.
- Monitor your statement for small "test" charges that often follow this scam.
- Report the SMS at reportfraud.ftc.gov and forward it to 7726 (SPAM).
Source: FTC, How To Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams
Hunch is not affiliated with UPS. UPS is named only to describe a scam that impersonates it; the real UPS does not send these messages.