Undeliverable Parcel Storage Fee Scam
A message claims your undelivered package is racking up daily storage fees you must pay online — the payment page steals your card.
Think a message like this reached you? You can check it right now.
What this scam is
You are told a package could not be delivered and is now in storage, accruing a daily fee you must pay to retrieve it. The small but growing charge creates pressure to pay quickly. The payment link is fake and captures your card. Postal services do not chase small storage fees by text; genuine held mail is handled at your local office.
What it usually looks like
- A claim your parcel is 'in storage' with a daily fee.
- A link to pay the fee and 'release' the item.
- A rising amount to create urgency.
- A sender that is not the real postal service.
Common warning signs
- Storage fees demanded by text with a card link.
- A parcel you cannot confirm exists.
- The web address is not the official postal site.
- Threats that the item will be destroyed or returned.
Example wording scammers use
“USPS: Your parcel is in storage. A $0.99/day fee applies. Pay now to release: usps-storage-release.info”
“Undeliverable package held. Settle the storage charge to schedule redelivery.”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- A small card payment that captures your details.
- Urgency so you skip verifying.
- Reusable card data for bigger charges.
What to do
- Do not pay via a texted link.
- Check with your local post office or the carrier's real site.
- Delete the message and block the sender.
- Warn family members who order a lot online.
What to do if you already responded
- Call your card issuer and report the charge.
- Request a replacement card if needed.
- Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.