Quick answer: If a text says your parcel is held, your address is incomplete or a small redelivery fee is due, do not pay through its link. Open the courier’s official website or app independently and check the tracking number. Never provide a banking password, one-time code or card details through an unverified delivery message.
This guide puts the practical answer first. It explains what to check, which mistakes to avoid and how to make a decision based on evidence instead of advertising, pressure or guesswork.
At a glance: Check whether you are expecting a parcel: A message can be fraudulent even if you really have an order on the way. Verify tracking independently: Open the courier’s known official app or type its website address yourself. Treat small fees with caution: A request for S$1 or S$2 may seem harmless, but a fake payment page can capture full card details or initiate larger fraudulent charges. Inspect sender and link details: Look for unusual domains, misspellings, URL shorteners and mismatches between the claimed company and actual destination. Do not install a delivery app from a message: A scammer may claim that a special app is needed to schedule delivery. Protect authentication codes: A real courier should not need your bank login password or an unsolicited banking OTP to deliver an ordinary parcel.
Quick checklist
- Check whether you are expecting a parcel: A message can be fraudulent even if you really have an order on the way. Scammers send large numbers of delivery messages and some recipients will happen to be waiting for packages.
- Verify tracking independently: Open the courier’s known official app or type its website address yourself. Enter the tracking number there rather than following a link in a text.
- Treat small fees with caution: A request for S$1 or S$2 may seem harmless, but a fake payment page can capture full card details or initiate larger fraudulent charges.
- Inspect sender and link details: Look for unusual domains, misspellings, URL shorteners and mismatches between the claimed company and actual destination. Sender names and numbers can be spoofed.
- Do not install a delivery app from a message: A scammer may claim that a special app is needed to schedule delivery. Download apps only from appropriate official stores and verify the publisher.
- Protect authentication codes: A real courier should not need your bank login password or an unsolicited banking OTP to deliver an ordinary parcel. An unexpected authentication prompt is a warning.
- Preserve evidence and report scams: Keep screenshots of the message, domain and payment request where safe. Report the message using official channels such as ScamShield in Singapore.
- Prepare a safer family routine: Tell household members to check order details in the original shopping account and not to pay unfamiliar redelivery links. This is particularly helpful when several people receive parcels at one address.
Tip 1: Check whether you are expecting a parcel
A message can be fraudulent even if you really have an order on the way. Scammers send large numbers of delivery messages and some recipients will happen to be waiting for packages.
Compare the seller’s actual order record with the claimed tracking number. Do not assume a plausible delivery date proves the message is real.
Practical next step: check the relevant facts in your own situation, record any important terms or figures and take one safe action before moving to the next decision.
Tip 2: Verify tracking independently
Open the courier’s known official app or type its website address yourself. Enter the tracking number there rather than following a link in a text.
A copied logo, familiar courier name or believable tracking format is not proof that the message came from the courier.
Practical next step: check the relevant facts in your own situation, record any important terms or figures and take one safe action before moving to the next decision.
Tip 3: Treat small fees with caution
A request for S$1 or S$2 may seem harmless, but a fake payment page can capture full card details or initiate larger fraudulent charges.
Check any legitimate delivery charge through the seller or courier’s independently accessed channel before paying.
Practical next step: check the relevant facts in your own situation, record any important terms or figures and take one safe action before moving to the next decision.
Tip 4: Inspect sender and link details
Look for unusual domains, misspellings, URL shorteners and mismatches between the claimed company and actual destination. Sender names and numbers can be spoofed.
HTTPS only indicates an encrypted connection to the site; it does not establish that the operator is trustworthy.
Practical next step: check the relevant facts in your own situation, record any important terms or figures and take one safe action before moving to the next decision.
Tip 5: Do not install a delivery app from a message
A scammer may claim that a special app is needed to schedule delivery. Download apps only from appropriate official stores and verify the publisher.
Never enable unknown accessibility services, remote-control permissions or security bypasses for a delivery request.
Practical next step: check the relevant facts in your own situation, record any important terms or figures and take one safe action before moving to the next decision.
Tip 6: Protect authentication codes
A real courier should not need your bank login password or an unsolicited banking OTP to deliver an ordinary parcel. An unexpected authentication prompt is a warning.
Do not read a code aloud to a caller who says they are verifying delivery. Contact the bank immediately if you approved a suspicious transaction.
Practical next step: check the relevant facts in your own situation, record any important terms or figures and take one safe action before moving to the next decision.
Tip 7: Preserve evidence and report scams
Keep screenshots of the message, domain and payment request where safe. Report the message using official channels such as ScamShield in Singapore.
If you entered card details or transferred money, contact your bank promptly through its official hotline. Recovery cannot be guaranteed.
Practical next step: check the relevant facts in your own situation, record any important terms or figures and take one safe action before moving to the next decision.
Tip 8: Prepare a safer family routine
Tell household members to check order details in the original shopping account and not to pay unfamiliar redelivery links. This is particularly helpful when several people receive parcels at one address.
A shared rule such as ‘verify in the courier app first’ is easier to remember than trying to identify every new scam design.
Practical next step: check the relevant facts in your own situation, record any important terms or figures and take one safe action before moving to the next decision.
Worked example
A fictional shopper is waiting for a parcel and receives a message asking for S$1.80 to correct the address. Instead of entering card details, they open the merchant’s order page and the courier’s official tracking site. Both show that the parcel is out for delivery with no fee. The shopper deletes and reports the fraudulent message.
This is an illustrative example rather than a prediction. The correct decision depends on your own costs, risks, needs and the current rules of the service involved.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Trusting a promotional claim without checking the underlying details.
- Making a payment or irreversible change because of artificial urgency.
- Ignoring the total cost, safety implications or privacy consequences.
- Assuming a convenient shortcut works in every situation.
- Failing to retain records or verify the outcome.
- Waiting too long to seek appropriate professional or official assistance when the issue is serious.
Frequently asked questions
Can a scam message contain a real tracking number? Yes. A plausible or even real-looking number does not verify the sender. Check the tracking status through the actual courier.
Does HTTPS mean the payment page is safe? No. Fraudulent sites can also use HTTPS.
What if I entered card details? Contact your bank promptly through verified channels, review transactions and follow its instructions.
A practical follow-up plan
- Identify the immediate question and what you already know.
- Check the relevant facts using official or reliable sources.
- Compare the available options and their real costs or risks.
- Choose the safest practical action.
- Record confirmation, receipts or important settings.
- Review the result and correct any remaining problem.
Sources and related eduKate reading
Prepared November 2026. General information only; confirm current terms, laws and safety guidance for your circumstances.