What it looks like
"Your parcel is held at the warehouse due to incomplete address. Update within 24 hours or it will be returned: [link]" (Illustrative)
How the parcel or customs fee scam works
- You get an SMS, WhatsApp or email that looks like it is from a postal service or courier.
- It says delivery failed, the address is incomplete, or customs duty is pending.
- The link opens a convincing fake courier page asking for your address and a small fee.
- You enter card details and an OTP, and the scammer uses them for larger payments.
- In a related version, a caller says a parcel in your name contains illegal items and passes you to fake police, which leads to a 'digital arrest' scam.
Red flags
- You were not expecting a parcel, or no tracking number is given
- A link with a strange or shortened web address
- Deadline such as 12 or 24 hours before the parcel is returned
- A small fee (customs, redelivery, address update) asked by link
- Asking for card details and an OTP for a delivery
- A caller saying your parcel contains drugs or fake passports
What to do
- Do not click the link. Check status on the courier's official website or app using your own tracking number.
- If you entered card details, call your bank to block the card at once.
- Report at once: call 1930 (National Cyber Fraud Helpline) or file at cybercrime.gov.in. Speed matters, because reports help freeze money in transit. Outside India, report to your national fraud line (US: ReportFraud.ftc.gov; UK: Action Fraud).
- Report the SMS: in India use Sanchar Saathi's Chakshu; in the US forward it to 7726.
- If a 'police' caller mentions your parcel, hang up. Police do not investigate or arrest by phone or video call.
Protect your family
Ask elders to never pay any delivery fee through an SMS link. If a delivery is genuine, the courier or seller can confirm it in their official app.
Also known as: fake delivery SMS, India Post address update scam, customs duty parcel scam
Questions people ask
Does India Post send SMS asking to update address?
No. PIB Fact Check has said India Post never sends messages asking recipients to update their address for delivery, and advised not to click such links.
Is the 'customs fee' text real?
Usually not. Genuine customs or import charges are shown through the courier's official channels, not through random links. Check on the official site with your tracking number.
I paid a small redelivery fee by link. What now?
Call your bank to block the card, watch for further charges, and report it at 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in (or your national fraud line).