How to Spot a Fake Delivery or Courier SMS

· Anuranjan Vikas · 4 min read
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A delivery SMS is suspicious if it asks you to pay a small fee through a link, update your address urgently, install an APK, contact a WhatsApp number, or enter OTP/card details to release a parcel. Do not tap the link from the message. Open the courier or shopping app directly, or search the tracking number on the official website you type yourself.

Fake delivery scams work because everyone is expecting something: groceries, gifts, medicines, bank cards, online orders, documents, or returns.

What fake courier messages look like

Common examples:

  • “Your parcel is on hold due to incomplete address”
  • “Delivery failed. Pay Rs 5 redelivery fee”
  • “KYC required before shipment release”
  • “Customs clearance pending. Pay now”
  • “Your package contains illegal items. Contact officer immediately”
  • “Download this app to track your package”
  • “Confirm OTP to reschedule delivery”

Some scams start with a normal-looking delivery message and then move you to WhatsApp or a phone call.

Red flags

Be careful if the message has:

  • A shortened link
  • A misspelled courier brand
  • A domain that is not the official courier website
  • A tiny payment request such as Rs 2, Rs 5, or Rs 10
  • A request for card number, CVV, UPI PIN, OTP, or net banking password
  • A request to install an APK
  • Threats about police, customs, drugs, or legal action
  • A WhatsApp number instead of official support
  • Poor grammar or unusual spacing

The amount may be small because the real goal is not the fee. The goal is often your card, OTP, UPI, or app access.

How to check safely

Do this instead of tapping the SMS link:

  1. Open the shopping app where you ordered the item.
  2. Check order status inside the app.
  3. If there is a tracking number, copy it.
  4. Type the courier company’s official website manually.
  5. Paste the tracking number there.
  6. If the courier asks for payment, confirm through the official app or official website only.

If you did not order anything, assume the message is unsafe until proven otherwise.

The Rs 5 delivery fee trap

Many delivery scams ask for a tiny redelivery fee. That small amount makes people relax.

The page may ask for:

  • Card number
  • Expiry date
  • CVV
  • OTP
  • UPI PIN
  • Net banking login
  • Mobile number

Once you enter those details, the scammer can attempt a much larger transaction or account takeover.

Fake courier calls and digital arrest

Some fake courier scams escalate into digital arrest scams.

The caller may say a parcel in your name contains drugs, passports, SIM cards, or illegal goods. Then they transfer you to a fake police, CBI, NCB, customs, or RBI officer on video call.

If that happens, hang up. Real agencies do not digitally arrest you over video calls. Read our guide on digital arrest scams for the full response plan.

Risk is lower, but still do this:

  • Close the page
  • Do not reopen the link
  • Delete any downloaded file
  • Clear recent downloads
  • Run a device security scan if something downloaded
  • Forward the message to Kaval or report the link through Sanchar Saathi

Our guide on what to do after clicking a phishing link has a fuller checklist.

If you entered card, UPI, or OTP details

Act as if the account is at risk.

  • Call your bank or payment app through official support
  • Block or freeze the card if needed
  • Change related passwords
  • Check recent transactions
  • Call 1930 if money moved
  • File at cybercrime.gov.in

Do not wait for the scammer to call back with a refund story.

Report the message

If no money was lost, you can report suspected fraud communication or malicious links through Sanchar Saathi Chakshu. The portal supports reports for suspicious calls, SMS, WhatsApp messages, and malicious links.

If money was lost, use 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in.

How Kaval can help

Paste the SMS, link, screenshot, or tracking claim into Kaval. Kaval can check whether the link looks suspicious, whether the domain matches the courier, and what action is safest.

Example:

This looks like a fake redelivery fee scam. The link is not an official courier domain. Do not enter card or OTP details. Open the courier app directly.

Quick answer

Do not trust a delivery SMS that asks for payment, OTP, card details, UPI PIN, or an APK install. Check delivery status only through the shopping app or official courier website. If money was lost, call 1930 and report on cybercrime.gov.in.