Courier Scams

Online shopping has made delivery services part of everyday life. Scammers know this, and they are weaponizing our trust in couriers to run a series of dangerous and costly frauds. These schemes are not confined to a single trick. They range from fake delivery slips with malicious QR codes, to phishing emails and texts, and even to phone calls in which criminals impersonate law enforcement. The goal is always the same: to trick victims into handing over money or sensitive information, or to install malware on their devices.

🚪 Quishing: Fake Delivery Notices With QR Codes

One of the fastest growing tactics is “quishing” (the use of fraudulent QR codes to hide the destination URL and mislead victims.) Scammers print realistic-looking delivery slips that closely mimic legitimate courier notices and leave them at homes and apartments. On the surface, the slips appear genuine, often featuring familiar company logos and instructions that suggest urgency, such as “final attempt to deliver.”

Instead of a tracking number, the notice contains a QR code. When scanned, it redirects the victim to a fraudulent website designed to look like a courier’s online portal. From there, victims are often asked to pay a small redelivery fee. Although the amount is usually minor, entering payment details allows criminals to harvest sensitive banking information. In some cases, the QR code immediately installs malware or spyware that gives fraudsters access to the device.

📧 Phishing by Email, SMS & Phone Calls

Digital courier scams are even more widespread. Fraudsters send emails, text messages, or automated phone calls claiming that a delivery could not be completed. Victims are told that a package is waiting for customs clearance, stuck in a warehouse, or cannot be released until further details are confirmed.

These messages look professional and often feature logos copied from real courier companies such as FedEx, UPS, DHL, Canada Post, USPS, or Royal Mail. The danger lies in the links, which direct victims to phishing websites or malware downloads disguised as tracking documents. Some scams even subscribe victims to premium-rate text services that quietly drain money from their accounts.

Fraudsters also use phone calls and spoofed numbers to impersonate courier staff or government officers. Victims may hear a recorded message instructing them to pay customs fees immediately, or a threatening voice claiming that a package addressed to them contained illegal material. The urgency and authority of these calls are designed to break down natural skepticism.

💰 Customs, Overweight & Redelivery Fee Frauds

Another widespread scam focuses on overweight charges, fake customs and redelivery fees. Criminals know international packages sometimes require extra charges, which makes this ploy more convincing. Victims receive highly realistic notifications requesting payment before a parcel can be delivered.

At first, the amounts demanded may be small, which encourages quick payment without suspicion. However, these payments provide scammers with banking and identity details. In other cases, victims are tricked into paying hundreds of dollars for parcels that never existed. By imitating a real process fees for international shipping criminals make their scheme far harder to spot.

🚓 The “Digital Arrest” Courier Scam

The most aggressive courier scam is the so-called digital arrest. Victims are told that a package addressed to them has been intercepted and found to contain illegal items such as narcotics, forged IDs, or counterfeit goods. The caller warns that criminal charges will be filed unless immediate action is taken.

To make the scheme more convincing, fraudsters sometimes send fake legal documents such as arrest warrants, or spoof official government phone numbers. Victims are pressured to pay a “settlement” or “cancellation” fee to halt the supposed investigation. In some cases, they are kept on the phone for hours, isolated from friends and family who might otherwise recognize the fraud. This scam combines fear, urgency, and authority to devastating effect, with many victims losing thousands of dollars.

🚨 Red Flags to Watch For

Although the scams vary in presentation, the warning signs are remarkably consistent. Recognizing them is the best defense.

📌 Delivery slips that rely on QR codes instead of reference numbers
📌 Unexpected requests for fees whether $2 or $200 for customs or redelivery. This is less about the amount and more about sending you to a fake payment site to collect your banking information
📌 Emails or texts with urgent links demanding immediate action
📌 Phone calls claiming criminal activity connected to your deliveries
📌 Branding that looks slightly “off” logos, grammar, or formatting that is not consistent with official sources

⚠️ The Real Risks

Falling victim to a courier scam can have consequences far beyond losing a non existent package.

💳 Financial loss from fraudulent fees or stolen card details
💻 Malware infections that compromise banking apps, logins, and stored files
🔐 Identity theft as personal details are harvested and sold
📞 Psychological stress from threats of legal action or digital arrest schemes

🧠 Why These Scams Work

Courier frauds succeed because they exploit everyday routines and emotions. Almost everyone is expecting a delivery at some point, which makes the initial hook believable. The language is carefully crafted to create urgency phrases like “final delivery attempt” or “immediate action required” pressure victims into compliance. Familiar logos and branding give a false sense of legitimacy. And in the most extreme cases, threats of arrest prey on fear, leaving people too shaken to question the situation.

Even the smallest details are designed with psychology in mind. A $2 redelivery fee feels insignificant, but it lowers defenses and opens the door for greater fraud. Once a victim has provided payment details or clicked a link, the scammer has already won.

🛡️ Protecting Yourself

The best defense is vigilance and verification. Always check deliveries directly with the courier by typing the company’s official website into your browser. Avoid scanning QR codes on suspicious delivery slips, and never trust payment requests that arrive through unsolicited messages.

✅ Track parcels only through official courier websites
✅ Treat all unexpected payment requests with caution
✅ Ignore threats of arrest, police never demand money by phone, this is only done through the court process
✅ Report suspicious messages and calls to anti-fraud agencies or local law enforcement

Courier scams are evolving rapidly, combining phishing, malware, and psychological pressure into one of the most dangerous forms of consumer fraud today. From quishing slips taped to your door to fraudulent customs fees and digital arrest threats, criminals are exploiting the ordinary process of receiving a package.

The rule remains clear: if the request comes through an unverified QR code, a suspicious link, or a threatening phone call, it is a scam. By staying alert and verifying communications directly, you can ensure that your deliveries remain safe and that your money and identity stay out of the hands of fraudsters.