Does USPS Charge for Redelivery? How to Spot the Fake Fee Text
No — USPS redelivery is free, and USPS doesn't send unsolicited tracking texts with links. A text asking you to pay a redelivery or customs fee is a scam. Check any package by opening USPS.com yourself, never through the message's link.
By George Featherstone·AI-assisted draft, reviewed and edited by George Featherstone.
Does USPS charge for redelivery? No. USPS says redelivery is free. A text directing you to pay a fee to fix an address, release a package, or arrange redelivery should be treated as suspicious—especially if you did not first request USPS tracking for that specific package.
Do not use the message’s link or phone number. Type USPS.com into your browser yourself, use the official USPS app, or contact USPS through a phone number you already know is genuine.
What the fake message usually says
The wording changes, but a fake USPS redelivery text often claims there is a delivery problem and asks for a small payment or personal information. These are illustrative examples, not quoted “actual” messages:
- “Your package could not be delivered. Pay a redelivery fee to reschedule.”
- “Your address is incomplete. Confirm it now to avoid return to sender.”
- “A small customs or processing payment is required before delivery.”
The warning signs are the unexpected contact, a link, pressure to act, and a request for card details or other personal information.
What if the address really is wrong?
A real address problem does not make a payment link in an unsolicited text trustworthy. Check the package through USPS directly. If USPS attempted delivery, use the tracking number or the barcode on the official PS Form 3849 notice to review available delivery options. USPS says scheduling redelivery is free, although some separate services or postage upgrades can have their own legitimate charges.
How legitimate USPS tracking texts work
According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, USPS does not send tracking texts or emails unless the customer first requested the service for a specific package. Those USPS tracking messages do not contain a link. An unsolicited message with a strange web link is a smishing warning sign, even if it uses a familiar logo or sender name.
To check a package, navigate independently to USPS.com and enter the tracking number. Do not open the tracking page from the text.
Real USPS message vs. fake fee text
| Real USPS | Fake fee text |
|---|---|
| Only texts you if you requested tracking for a package | Texts you out of the blue about a package you didn't request tracking for |
| Sends no links in tracking texts | Includes a link to "pay" or "confirm" |
| Redelivery is free | Asks for a redelivery, customs, or processing fee |
| Points to USPS.com or your Post Office | Points to a lookalike domain |
Why the fee story works — and when it spikes
The fake-fee text preys on two things: a small dollar amount that feels easy to pay, and the fear of a package being returned. A "99¢ redelivery fee" doesn't feel worth double-checking — but the moment you enter a card number on the fake page, the scam has what it wants.
These texts surge around the holidays and after big sale weekends, when more people are genuinely expecting a package. That timing is deliberate: a delivery text feels believable precisely because you are waiting on something. The rule doesn't change — check the tracking number on USPS.com, never through the text's link.
What to do based on what happened
If you only received the text
- Do not reply or click.
- Forward it to 7726 (SPAM) if your carrier supports that reporting method.
- Forward the message to [email protected], then delete it.
If you clicked but did not enter information
Close the page. Do not download anything or allow notifications. If you downloaded an app or file, stop and ask a trusted technician to check the device.
If you entered personal information
Contact the affected company or institution using independently verified contact details. Change reused passwords, monitor accounts, and consider a credit freeze if you shared identity information.
If you entered card or bank details
Call your card issuer or bank immediately using the number on the card or a statement. Ask what protective steps are appropriate, watch for unauthorized transactions, and report the incident.
How to report the message
Forward USPS-related scam texts or emails to [email protected]. You can also report suspected mail-related fraud through the U.S. Postal Inspection Service report page. The FTC also recommends using your phone’s “report junk” feature or forwarding unwanted texts to 7726.
Need a second opinion?
Our general scam-check guide covers the same stop, verify, and report routine. ScamBomb can help assess the wording or screenshot of a suspicious message; it cannot verify a USPS shipment.