FedEx scam texts and emails are among the most reported phishing attempts in the United States. Scammers exploit the fact that FedEx handles over 16 million packages daily — at any given moment, millions of people are expecting a FedEx delivery, making them vulnerable to a convincing fake notification. Here is how to tell real FedEx communications from scams.
What Real FedEx Notifications Look Like
FedEx sends legitimate notifications through specific channels:
- Email: Real FedEx emails come from addresses ending in
@fedex.com. Common senders includeTrackingUpdates@fedex.comandauto-reply@fedex.com. - Text messages: FedEx sends tracking texts only if you have opted in through FedEx Delivery Manager. They come from shortcode numbers, not regular phone numbers.
- The FedEx app: Push notifications from the official FedEx app are the most reliable notification method.
Critically, real FedEx notifications:
- Include a tracking number you can verify on fedex.com
- Never ask for payment to release a package
- Never request personal information via link
- Never threaten to return or destroy your package if you do not act immediately
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Common FedEx Scam Patterns
The Customs Fee Scam
"FedEx: Your package is held at customs. A fee of $3.99 is required for release. Pay here: [link]." FedEx does not collect customs duties via text message. If customs fees are owed, they are handled during delivery or through your FedEx account — not through a random text link.
The Failed Delivery Scam
"FedEx Delivery Exception: Package could not be delivered. Schedule redelivery: [link]." While FedEx does have delivery exceptions, they are visible in your tracking on fedex.com. They do not require you to click a link in a text message to resolve.
The Address Verification Scam
"FedEx: Your address could not be verified. Update your shipping information to avoid return: [link]." Clicking leads to a page that requests your full name, address, phone number, and often a credit card. FedEx does not ask you to verify your address through a text message link.
The Fake Invoice Email
A more sophisticated scam targets businesses: an email with a PDF attachment claiming to be a FedEx shipping invoice. The PDF either contains malware or links to a phishing page. FedEx invoices are available through your FedEx billing account — they do not arrive as unexpected email attachments.
Real Examples We Have Analyzed
Here are actual FedEx scam messages submitted to our analysis tool in April 2026:
"FedEx: We tried to deliver your parcel today at 11:32 AM. No one was available. Reschedule here: https://fedex-redeliver.com/pkg/92847"
The domain fedex-redeliver.com is not owned by FedEx. It was registered 3 days before this campaign. Real rescheduling is done at fedex.com or through the FedEx app.
"Your FedEx package #7749203841 requires a $2.65 customs clearance fee before delivery. Process payment: https://fdx-clearance.net"
The domain fdx-clearance.net is a scam site. The small fee amount is intentional — it makes the request seem reasonable and not worth questioning.
How to Verify a FedEx Notification
- Do not click links in the message.
- Go directly to fedex.com and enter any tracking number you have from your actual orders.
- Paste the message into IsThisAScam.to for an instant analysis that checks the URL, message patterns, and sender information.
- Check the sender. If the email is not from @fedex.com, it is not from FedEx. If the text is from a regular phone number rather than a shortcode, it is suspicious.
- Call FedEx directly at 1-800-463-3339 if you are uncertain about a specific package.
How to Report FedEx Scams
- FedEx: Forward suspicious emails to abuse@fedex.com.
- FTC: Report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Your phone carrier: Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
If you frequently receive package-related scam messages, the IsThisAScam Chrome extension can scan your Gmail for fake shipping notifications automatically, giving you a second layer of protection without any manual effort.