Tools · Spotting scams

Fake package and toll texts

A text says a package can't be delivered or you owe a toll, with a link to pay. It's almost always a scam. Don't tap the link. Check by going to the real website or app yourself, forward the text to 7726, then delete it.

Easy5 minFreeChecked October 3, 2026

You'll need

Your phone
The real website or app for your toll account or the shipper, typed in yourself

What to know

Spot the pattern: a text out of the blue says you owe a small toll or a package needs a fee or new address, and you need to act now. Scammers pretend to be tolling agencies everywhere and send texts demanding money. Source: FTC¹
Don't tap the link or reply. The link leads to a page that asks for your card or bank details. Tapping can also give scammers personal information like your driver's license number, and they could steal your identity. Source: FTC¹
Know how USPS works. USPS won't text or email you unless you first asked for tracking with a tracking number, and those texts won't contain a link. Source: USPIS⁴
Check it yourself. Contact the toll agency using a phone number or website you know is real, not anything in the text. Source: FTC¹ For packages, open the shipper's app or type its website yourself and enter your tracking number.
Report it. Use your phone's "report junk" option, or forward the text to 7726 (SPAM). Source: FTC¹ You can also report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Source: FTC² For fake USPS texts, email [email protected]. Source: USPIS⁴
Then delete it. Source: FTC¹
Turn on spam filtering. Your phone may be able to filter and block messages from unknown senders. Source: FTC²

Watch out Real companies won't email or text you a link to update your payment information. Source: FTC³ Any text with a link and a deadline about money gets checked another way first.

Real or fake?

The text says…	What to do
You owe a toll; pay at this link	Fake until proven real. Log in to your toll account yourself.
Your package is on hold; update your address	Open the shipper's app or website yourself with your tracking number.
USPS: tap this link	USPS texts you only if you asked for tracking, and those have no link.
Reply STOP or Y	Don't. Replying tells them your number works. Report and delete.

From the FTC. Source: FTC¹ and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Source: USPIS⁴

A text to warn your family

Heads up: there are fake texts going around about unpaid tolls and packages. If you get one, don't tap the link. Log in to the real site yourself, forward the text to 7726, and delete it.

If you call your bank after tapping

Hi, I entered my card number on a scam website from a text a few minutes ago. Can you block this card, send me a new one, and help me dispute any charges I didn't make?

See it done

Video by U.S. Postal Inspection Service Government

Text Message Scams - Smishing

Watch on YouTube: Text Message Scams - Smishing

2023 · Checked October 3, 2026

A Postal Inspector explains text scams in about a minute, from 2023. Toll texts work the same way.

Video won't load at school or work? No problem. Everything you need is in the steps; the video's just a bonus. Watch it on YouTube later.

If it doesn't work

Already tapped and typed your card number? Call your bank or card company now, using the number on the back of your card, and ask to block the card and dispute the charge. See What to do if you got scammed.
Gave your Social Security, card or bank number? Go to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan. Source: FTC³ See Recovering from identity theft.
Entered a password? Change it everywhere you used it, and turn on two-step sign-in. Multi-factor authentication makes it harder for scammers to log in even if they have your password. Source: FTC³ See Turning on two-step sign-in.

Good to know

The details, if you want them. Tap a line to open it.

Why 7726

7726 spells SPAM on a phone keypad. Forwarding helps report the scam phone number. Source: USPIS⁴

Take it with you

Printable card Download card (PDF)

Sources

Federal Trade Commission Got a text about unpaid tolls? It's probably a scam
Federal Trade Commission How to recognize and report spam text messages
Federal Trade Commission How to recognize and avoid phishing scams
U.S. Postal Inspection Service Smishing: package tracking text scams

Lesson T4.2 · Last checked October 3, 2026 against the sources listed.

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