Here’s the embarrassing truth. I almost fell for a delivery scam text message. And the kicker? I’m supposed to be the guy warning other people about this stuff.
There I was, standing in my kitchen at 12:59 PM, holding my phone like it was about to detonate. The text looked completely legit. Purolator. Package delivery. “Action required.” My heart started pounding like I’d just forgotten to lock the front door before going on vacation.
For about thirty seconds, I was ready to click that link. Why? Because I really was waiting for a delivery. Some vitamins I’d ordered online. Perfect timing, right? The kind of coincidence that makes you think the universe is messing with you.
And that’s the thing about delivery scam text messages. They don’t work because we’re dumb. They work because they land at the exact moment when our guard is down.
That moment when you think, “Wait. Something’s not right here.”
If you’ve ever gotten one of these texts and felt that little jolt of panic… you’re not alone. And you’re definitely not the only one who almost fell for it. Trust me, I nearly joined the club.
The Perfect Storm
Picture this. It’s Wednesday afternoon. I’m waiting for my vitamin delivery. Phone buzzes. Purolator text. “Package delivery failed, signature required.” My first thought? “Dammit, I missed it again.”
That’s the exact same frustration my neighbour Carol went through last month. Real delivery, real missed signature, real headache. So when I got that text, my brain immediately jumped to: “Oh no, not again.”
The scammers knew exactly what string to pull.
The Almost-Click Moment
My thumb was hovering over that link. Seriously, I could feel the screen heat under my finger. I was ready to “schedule redelivery.”
But something made me pause. Maybe it was the funky-looking URL. Maybe it was because the message came from a regular phone number, not one of those 5-digit codes companies usually use.
Whatever it was, I put the phone down. Walked away. Took five minutes to breathe.
The Reality Check
When I came back and really looked at the message, the red flags were screaming. Wrong website URL. Grammar that was almost-but-not-quite right. And the real kicker—I checked my actual Purolator tracking. My package wasn’t even scheduled for that day.
That moment when you realize you nearly handed your personal info to a stranger sitting in some dark room overseas? Your stomach drops like you’re on a rollercoaster you never wanted to ride.
The Journey: Becoming a Scam Detective
The Investigation Begins
I couldn’t shake it. If I almost fell for this—and I’m a retired cop who’s seen every scam in the book—how many folks are clicking these links without thinking?
So I started digging. Turns out, package delivery scams are everywhere. Makes sense. We all live on online orders now. Groceries, Amazon, pharmacy refills—you name it. Our phones buzz with real notifications all day long. Slip in one fake one, and boom: you’ve got a recipe for trouble.
The Scammer Psychology
Here’s what these crooks know: they don’t need to be perfect. They just need to trick you for thirty seconds. That’s all it takes to click.
And the timing? Genius. They spray out thousands of these fake delivery notifications every single day. Sooner or later, it lands on someone who’s actually expecting a package. Like me with my vitamins.
Learning the Red Flags
I started saving scam texts, comparing them with real ones. Once I knew what to look for, the differences were obvious. But that’s the thing—you need to know what you’re looking for.
Turns out, there are patterns. Always patterns.
The Aha Moment
My daughter pointed something out that finally clicked. Real delivery companies have their own apps now. They send push notifications or emails—not random texts from numbers they’ve never used.
That was my lightbulb moment. If I hadn’t signed up for Purolator text alerts… why on earth would they be texting me?
Your Scam-Spotting Toolkit
I don’t want to just tell you the theory. Here’s exactly how I spot delivery scam text messages now.
Red Flag #1: The Sender
Real companies like Purolator send from short codes—those 5-digit numbers like 12345. Scammers use random phone numbers.
My fake one came from +63 910 273 5428. That’s the Philippines. Last I checked, Purolator isn’t shipping out of Manila.
Red Flag #2: The URL
Think of website addresses like street addresses. Purolator’s real site is purolator.com. My scam text used puroletor.com-payavt.vip/ca. Looks close, but it’s like someone telling you they live at “123MainStreet.totallynotascam.com.”
And honestly? I almost missed it. On my phone screen, “puroletor” looked just like “purolator” at first glance.
Red Flag #3: The Urgency
Real companies say, “We’ll try again tomorrow” or “Pick up at depot.” Scammers crank up the panic: “Must act by 8 PM or package returns!” They want your heart racing so your brain doesn’t notice the red flags.
Red Flag #4: Grammar and Tone
Here’s one line from mine: “To activate the link, reply Y, close and reopen this message.” Sounds like someone fed it through Google Translate twice. No real company talks like that.
The Two-Minute Rule
Here’s my personal system now: I wait two minutes before doing anything. In that time, I check my delivery apps, my email, or just think back to what I’ve actually ordered. Nine times out of ten, the scam falls apart once the initial panic fades.
What To Do If You Get One
Here’s my five-step playbook:
- Don’t click anything. Just don’t.
- Check your official delivery apps or confirmation emails.
- Call the real company using the number on their site.
- Screenshot the message, then delete it.
- Forward it to 7726 (SPAM) to report it.
Real Company vs. Scammer
| Real Companies | Scammers |
|---|---|
| Use short codes (5-digit senders) | Use random phone numbers |
| Proper grammar and clear tracking info | Awkward language, missing details |
| Options like redelivery or pickup | Fake urgency, “act now” threats |
| Never ask for payments via text | Always push you to click shady links |
Taking Action!
Your Homework
Here’s what I want you to do right now—not tomorrow, not next week. Right now.
- On iPhone: go to Settings > Messages > Filter Unknown Senders
- On Android: open your messaging app, turn on spam protection
Then, every time you get a weird delivery text, screenshot it. Share it with family or friends before you delete it. The more we talk about these scams, the less power they have.
The Community Connection
Remember my neighbour Carol? The one who missed her real delivery? I showed her my scam text. She laughed and said, “Oh honey, I get three of these a week.” She’s been deleting them without even blinking.
But not everyone has her level of suspicion. Some folks are still too trusting, and that’s exactly who these crooks target.
Old Me vs. New Me
The old me would’ve been embarrassed. Felt dumb for almost falling for it.
The new me? I know better. These scams work because they’re designed by professionals who study human psychology for a living. There’s no shame in being human. The only shame would be not learning from it.
The Support Network
Here’s the deal: you don’t need to fight this alone. If you’re unsure about a text, ask someone. Show it to your tech-savvy kid or grandkid. Call the company directly.
It’s way better to ask a “stupid” question than to hand over your personal info to criminals.
Trust your gut. If it feels off, it probably is. And remember—legitimate delivery companies want to make things easy, not create panic-inducing emergencies.