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DHL text scam: that parcel-fee message is fake

Editorially reviewed · Last updated September 8, 2026

Yes — this is a scam. DHL doesn't text you links to pay customs or redelivery fees.

Exhibit · Text message

Text Message · Today 7:31 AM
from +44 555 0126
DHL: Your parcel is held at our facility due to an unpaid customs fee of $2.99. Pay now to schedule redelivery or the parcel will be returned to sender: dhl-parcel-fee[.]info/pay
Illustrative text message · not an original screenshot

Other versions you might get: A “we missed you — reschedule your delivery” text, an “incomplete address” notice, or the same play under USPS, FedEx, or UPS branding. Small fee, look-alike link, same fix.

What to do right now

  1. Don't tap the link or pay anything. Don't reply.
  2. Track the real way: if you are expecting a parcel, use the tracking number from your order confirmation at dhl.com — typed yourself.
  3. If you entered your card: call your bank, freeze or replace the card, and dispute the charge — including the small “fee,” which often hides a bigger pending charge.
  4. Report it. Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM), then file at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
  5. Delete the message.

Reduce the risk of another scam

Do not use the message’s link to check the claim. Open the real service yourself. If you paid or shared account details, start with what to do after a scam. Blocking and reporting can reduce unwanted contact, but they cannot stop every attempt or tell you how the sender found you.

● Public service · free steps first

Take the free protection steps first

A suspicious message does not tell us how someone found your details. If you shared personal information, start with the official recovery guidance. You can also freeze your credit for free.

Decide what protection you need

Start with the free controls above. Compare what a paid service would add only after deciding which problem remains.

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No purchase needed. How we use evidence.

Frequently asked

Does DHL text you about customs fees or held parcels?
DHL can send genuine SMS updates and duty/VAT payment links. Its official guidance describes that payment workflow. A fee request alone is not proof of fraud: verify the tracking number and charge through DHL’s official site or support you reached independently, and avoid the look-alike link illustrated here.
I'm actually expecting a DHL package — how do I check if the text is real?
Use the tracking number from your order at dhl.com or the DHL app, opened independently. If a charge or message is unclear, contact DHL through its official support route. Do not assume a missing charge on a tracking screen proves no fee is due, and do not use an unexpected text’s payment link to verify itself.
I paid the $2.99 “customs fee” with my card — what now?
The $2.99 isn't the loss — your card details are. Call your bank, freeze or replace the card, and dispute the charge plus anything that follows; these pages often queue a larger charge or a subscription. Watch your statement for a few weeks, and report the text at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to 7726.
Why did I get a DHL text when I didn't order anything?
A delivery scam does not need a real order, but a text alone cannot tell you how the sender found your number or whether somebody sent you a parcel. Do not pay through the message. If a shipment might be real, check with DHL independently; otherwise report the text to 7726 and delete it.

Related scams

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USPS text scam: is that delivery text real?

Got a USPS text about a held package, an address problem, or a redelivery fee? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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FedEx text scam: is that delivery text real?

Got a text about a FedEx package on hold, a missed delivery, or a fee to pay? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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UPS text scam: is that delivery text real?

Got a UPS text about a held package, a delivery fee, or an address you need to confirm? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

Sources

  1. 01How to recognize and report spam text messages— Federal Trade Commission
  2. 02Smishing: Package Tracking Text Scams— U.S. Postal Inspection Service
  3. 03DHL customs duties and taxes— uk.express.dhl.com

Pass it on

Help protect someone else

If this could have fooled you, it can fool someone you know — a parent, a friend, the family group chat. It's safe to forward, and stands on its own as a record for a bank or the police.