{"id":5749,"date":"2026-03-27T10:33:41","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T10:33:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/discountagent.co.uk\/blog\/?p=5749"},"modified":"2026-03-27T10:36:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T10:36:55","slug":"fake-usps-tracking-number","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/discountagent.co.uk\/blog\/fake-usps-tracking-number\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Identify a Fake USPS Tracking Number"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Back in February 2025, share story on Facebook<\/a> that genuinely stopped me in my tracks. She had received a small package in her post containing nothing but two blank envelopes. The sender had shipped it through USPS with a real tracking number, passing it off as proof that an order had been sent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She was suspicious that other people in her area had ordered stuff online and got the same tracking number and their actual order did not come. I did some investigations and, frankly speaking, she was absolutely right in her suspicions. This is a live scam, it is spreading at a rapid rate and it is more believable than most people can even guess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is the “Same ZIP Code” Tracking Scam?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I call this one dangerous because, unlike most scams, it does not rely on a made-up tracking number. The number is real. The delivery confirmation is real. And that is exactly what makes it so difficult to spot and even harder to dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The scammer ships a worthless package a couple of blank envelopes, a piece of scrap paper, anything cheap to a random address within your ZIP code.<\/strong> USPS collects it, scans it, and delivers it. The tracking history shows “Delivered.” But that package was never heading to your door. It was heading to someone else entirely, just nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How This Scam Works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

You Place an Order Online<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You find something you want on an online shop, a marketplace listing, or a social media store. The price might be tempting, or the listing might look entirely normal. You pay, and a confirmation lands in your inbox. Nothing feels wrong yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You Receive What Looks Like a Legitimate Tracking Number<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shortly after, the seller sends you a USPS tracking number. You type it into usps.com and it comes up. There is a scan history. It might even say “In Transit” or “Out for Delivery.” At this point, most people relax. I would have too, before I knew about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Worthless Package Gets Posted to Your ZIP Code<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here is where the deception actually happens. The scammer posts a real but completely worthless item blank envelopes, an empty jiffy bag, a folded piece of card to a different address within your ZIP code.<\/strong> That one physical act gives the tracking number everything it needs to look genuine:<\/p>\n\n\n\n