Shipping Scams: How to Spot Fake Shipping Companies

The peak season is around the corner. And with that comes a higher probability of eCommerce fraud.

Fake package delivery alerts were the single most reported text message scam in 2024, according to the FTC, part of $470 million lost to text scams that year. Imposter scams overall, the category shipping and delivery fraud falls under, cost people $3.5 billion in 2025, the fifth straight year they topped the FTC’s fraud categories. Merchants who use unvetted carriers, or whose customers fall for phishing texts about their orders, absorb a share of that cost as chargebacks.

Hence, my goal for this piece is to equip you with the knowledge and strategies to safeguard your business against shipping scams. We'll explore the types of shipping scams, warning signs, and shipping scam red flags you should know.

Inzicht in verzendfraude

Verzendfraude is een vorm van oplichting waarbij personen of organisaties het verzend- en leveringsproces manipuleren om toegang te krijgen tot uw persoonlijke gegevens of om goederen te onderscheppen. Deze vormen van fraude kunnen verschillende gedaanten aannemen, maar leiden doorgaans tot financieel verlies of diefstal van persoonlijke gegevens.

Verzendfraude treft zowel verkopers als hun klanten. In sommige gevallen doet de fraudeur zich voor als medewerker van een bezorgbedrijf zoals UPS, USPS of FedEx. Vervolgens probeert hij het slachtoffer over te halen om aanvullende gegevens te verstrekken om het verzend- of bezorgproces af te ronden.

For example, the fraudster may call, email, or send an SMS to you or the customer asking for specific verifications of private details or credit card information. The request is unrelated to any actual orders or transactions, as the person on the other end of the conversation is a con artist trying to obtain the personal information to commit identity theft or other financial fraud.

E-mails of sms-berichten kunnen een valse trackinglink bevatten die naar een nepversie van de officiële website van de vervoerder leidt. In werkelijkheid is het echter een phishing-site. En dankzij de opkomst van AI-tools kunnen oplichters tegenwoordig overtuigende landingspagina’s maken om nietsvermoedende mensen te misleiden.

Als u de oplichters te slim af wilt zijn en uw omzet tijdens dit drukke seizoen veilig wilt stellen, moet u weten welke soorten verzendfraude u kunt tegenkomen en hoe u elk scenario kunt voorkomen.

Soorten verzendfraude

Verzendfraude wordt steeds geavanceerder, net als andere vormen van e-commercefraude. Oplichters voeren hun tactieken steeds verder op door middel van legitiem klinkende verzoeken om persoonlijke en financiële gegevens. Er duiken voortdurend nieuwe vormen van fraude op, die steeds overtuigender worden. Wees u bewust van de volgende vormen van fraude om te voorkomen dat u het slachtoffer wordt van oplichters.

Verzendfraude #1: Nepverzendbedrijven

Fake shipping companies are a significant and growing concern for merchants. These scammers create an illusion of legitimacy through enticing websites and social media profiles. They lure unsuspecting merchants with promises of unbeatable prices and exceptional service. However, you'll encounter numerous issues once you engage the services of these fraudulent companies. Standard attributes of fake shipping companies include:

• Valse websites en socialemediaprofielen: Oplichters maken vaak valse websites en socialemediaprofielen aan die betrouwbare transportbedrijven nabootsen. Ze gebruiken misleidende tactieken, zoals het namaken van logo’s, vakjargon en valse getuigenissen. Wees voorzichtig en doe grondig onderzoek naar een transportbedrijf voordat u gebruikmaakt van hun diensten.
• False Promises and Unrealistic Prices: One of the primary tactics of fake shipping companies is offering meager prices that are too good to be true. These scammers aim to attract merchants, promising to save them money on shipping expenses. If a shipping quote appears excessively low compared to other reputable providers, investigate further before committing.

This pattern shows up often in dropshipping, where merchants rely on unfamiliar overseas suppliers for fulfillment — our guide to avoiding dropshipping scams covers the supplier-specific red flags to watch for.

Verzendfraude #2: Onderschepping en diefstal van pakketten

Package interception and theft is another prevalent shipping scam that can impact your businesses adversely. Criminals, such as porch pirates or individuals with insider access to shipping facilities, exploit vulnerabilities in the shipping process, leading to the loss or theft of packages. Package interception or triangulation fraud scams can occur in any of these ways:

• „Porch Pirates“ en postdiefstal: Deze criminelen richten zich op pakketten die onbeheerd op de stoep of onder de veranda worden achtergelaten. Ze houden de bezorgschema’s in de gaten en grijpen elke kans aan om pakketten te stelen, wat voor u en uw klanten tot frustratie en financieel verlies leidt. Als dat gebeurt, kan de koper u een terugvordering indienen wegens „bestelling niet geleverd“.
• Insider Involvement and Shipping Mishandling: Unfortunately, some shipping scams involve insiders who intentionally divert packages to alternate addresses or mishandle shipments. Ideally, you should regularly evaluate the security protocols of your shipment partner to reduce the chances of insider involvement, the same diligence that limits account takeover risk elsewhere in your stack.

Verzendfraude #3: Phishing-fraude

Phishing, as we intimated earlier, is one of the most prominent forms of shipping scams where the scammer pretends to be a well-known shipping company employee and asks for sensitive information through email or text. Sometimes, the scammer may encourage the victim to click a link to update payment details or delivery address.

Als u een dergelijk bericht ontvangt, klik dan nooit op de links en geef geen gevoelige informatie door, zelfs niet als u een pakket verstuurt of verwacht via een soortgelijk bedrijf. Neem voor meer informatie altijd contact op met het vertrouwde transportbedrijf om de status van een pakket of de bezorging te controleren.

Shipping Scam Types at a Glance

Uw zendingen beveiligen: essentiële tips waarmee u geld bespaart

Protecting your merchandise against shipping scams is crucial for your business integrity and financial sustainability. Shipping and delivery fraud falls under what the FTC calls "imposter fraud," where the scammer falsely claims to be associated with a renowned company or government organization, the same category that cost people $3.5 billion in 2025.

Analisten stellen dat de werkelijke kosten veel hoger kunnen uitvallen, aangezien veel gevallen niet worden gemeld. U doet uzelf dus tekort als u geen beveiligingsmaatregelen treft om het risico op verliezen tijdens het transport te beperken.

Hier volgen enkele aanbevelingen om in overweging te nemen:

• Start by choosing a reputable shipping services

Lesser-known agencies might offer cheaper options, but the risk of dealing with charlatans is higher than any ROI benefit. Do your due diligence before engaging with such companies. Opting for well-established and recognized courier services and carriers is always the best bet, as these companies have a proven track record of reliability and security. By partnering with trusted providers, you enhance the chances of a smooth and secure delivery process.

• Ship orders with insurance

Protect your shipments by obtaining adequate insurance coverage. Insurance provides financial protection and peace of mind in the unfortunate event of loss, damage, or theft. Assess different insurance plans available and select the one that aligns with your shipping needs.

• Always include order tracking

Take advantage of advanced tracking technologies offered by shipping services to help customers know the status of their orders. Real-time tracking enables you and your customers to monitor the progress of each shipment. This transparency instills confidence and allows for timely intervention for unexpected issues.

• Follow industry best practices to limit fraud exposure

Aside from the above standard shipment protection due diligence, one key industry best practice to limit fraud and order interception is to require a signature upon delivery. This ensures your packages reach the intended recipients and are not left unattended. Additionally, you can provide specific instructions for restricted delivery as an extra layer of security.

• Use tamper-evident packaging

Tamper-evident packaging provides crucial insurance against unauthorized order access or tampering with the product. There are different kinds of tamper-evident packaging. These include seals, bands, or labels that break or show clear signs of manipulation when a third party attempts to open the package. Other tamper-evident mechanisms may be specialized closures like shrink bands, breakable caps, or indicators that change color when exposed to specific conditions.

• Train your employees on shipping best practices and fraud tactics

Leid uw medewerkers op om ervoor te zorgen dat uw voorraadgegevens nauwkeurig en up-to-date zijn. Door de voorraadniveaus nauwlettend in de gaten te houden en regelmatig controles uit te voeren, minimaliseert u het risico dat er verkeerde of ontbrekende artikelen worden verzonden. Nauwkeurig voorraadbeheer draagt bij aan een soepel verloop van de verzending en vermindert de kans op geschillen.

Further, ensure you have standardized fraud reporting and dispute handling processes. For example, you can establish a reporting system for failed shipments so junior staff are not tricked into sending shipment details to scammers.

• Keep Communication Open

Maintain open lines of communication with your customers throughout the shipping process. Provide them with tracking information, estimated delivery times, and any necessary updates. By staying in touch, you enhance customer satisfaction and address any concerns promptly, meaning they can always talk to you before seeking remediation from their bank.

In the final analysis, whether you're a seller or buyer, your common sense is your first defense in avoiding online scams and thefts. Do not share any personal information with unsolicited messages or phone calls. Always obtain tracking numbers and keep an eye on the progress of your orders. Be wary of suspicious email links or attachments, and do not click on them. Verify the authenticity of any delivery messages with the actual carrier to avoid being deceived. By not leaving packages on the doorstep, you can prevent porch theft.

How Shipping Scams Lead to Chargebacks

Order shipment issues are among the most common chargeback reason codes today. That means shipping scams are a significant contributor to post-purchase chargebacks.

To understand: chargebacks happen when customers dispute transactions with their card issuing banks, leading to funds reversal from the merchant's account (and penalties charged to the merchant). In terms of shipping scams targeted at merchants, there are four ways the issue can lead to a chargeback:

1. Niet-levering van goederen: Als de verkoper een nepvervoerder inschakelt om de bestelling te verzenden, zal de klant een terugvordering indienen wanneer de leveringstermijn is verstreken en hij zijn bestelling niet heeft ontvangen.
2. Valse claims over defecte producten: Sommige oplichters maken misbruik van het retourbeleid door ten onrechte te beweren dat de ontvangen producten defect zijn of niet aan de beschrijving voldoen. Ze kunnen de situatie manipuleren om via een terugvordering gratis producten te krijgen, zelfs als de verkoper het product correct heeft geleverd.
3. Gestolen goederen via valse claims: Oplichters kunnen opzettelijk een verkeerde voorstelling geven van de kwaliteit of de staat van geleverde goederen om via een terugvordering een terugbetaling of vervanging te eisen. Oplichters gebruiken deze tactiek in praktijken die erop gericht zijn producten op legitieme wijze te verkrijgen zonder ervoor te betalen.
4. Unauthorized transactions: Scammers may stick failed delivery notices on the business's front door or use phishing to trick the seller into providing private order data from a corporate card. They'll then use the obtained card details to make unauthorized transactions. When the actual owner realizes the unauthorized transaction, they will file a chargeback for the unauthorized charge, and the merchant will incur losses.

This is not exhaustive by any means.

Implement stringent fraud detection measures, closely monitor suspicious orders, and keep refund and order-handling policies clear so customers reach out to you before their bank. Use chargeback alerts to catch disputes before they land.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping Scams

How do I know if a shipping company is fake?

Check for a real physical address, verifiable reviews outside the company’s own site, and rates that are not drastically below competitors. A quote that looks too good to be true usually is.

What should I do if I get a suspicious delivery text or email?

Do not click the link. Go directly to the carrier’s official site or app and check your tracking number there instead.

Can a shipping scam actually result in a chargeback against my business?

Yes. Non-delivery, package interception, and phishing-driven unauthorized transactions all commonly end in a chargeback, even when the merchant did nothing wrong.

Are shipping scams covered by chargeback protection?

Not automatically. Merchants still have to respond to the dispute with evidence, tracking data, delivery confirmation, and communication records matter most.

What is the fastest way to reduce shipping scam exposure?

Vet carriers before switching to save money, require signature confirmation on high-value orders, and keep customers updated with real tracking so they are not tempted to trust a phishing text instead.

Fight the Chargebacks Shipping Scams Leave Behind

Vetting carriers and tightening delivery policy cuts down on shipping scams, but it will not stop every chargeback that reaches you. A chargeback prevention strategy still needs a real response for the disputes that get through.

Chargeflow is a fully automated chargeback management solution that builds evidence from tracking data, delivery confirmation, and order records, exactly what shipping-related disputes come down to.

Hier Zijn kun je zien wat je daarvoor krijgt:

• Save time: evidence gathering and submission run automatically for every dispute, including non-delivery and phishing-driven cases.
• Higher win rate: responses are built around the reason code and the delivery evidence that is actually available.
• Lagere kosten: minder verloren geschillen en minder handmatig controlevwerk zorgen voor lagere overheadkosten.
• Fewer repeat disputes: Chargeflow surfaces the patterns behind your chargebacks, including which carriers or routes generate the most, so you can close the gaps.

If shipping scams are quietly draining revenue through chargebacks, see how Chargeflow handles the cases your carrier can’t.