Emirates Post delivery fee scam: how to check before paying
If a delivery SMS says your package is held, your address is incomplete, or a small customs fee is due, do not pay from the link.
Open the courier website yourself. Use the tracking number you already had, not the one the message gives you.
Small fees are a common trick because they feel too small to question.
Why this works in the UAE
UAE residents order from many local and international stores. Deliveries often involve couriers, building names, apartment numbers, gate access, customs, and timing.
That makes fake delivery messages feel normal.
| Message says | What does not match | Safer move |
|---|---|---|
| "Your package is held" | You did not expect a package | Check the merchant app |
| "Pay AED 7.50 customs fee" | The link is not the official courier domain | Type the courier website yourself |
| "Confirm your address" | It asks for card details first | Contact the courier directly |
| "Delivery failed today" | No missed call, no real tracking history | Check the tracking number you already had |
Check the link like this
Do not judge by the logo. Logos are easy to copy.
Check:
- Does the domain match the real courier exactly?
- Did you expect the package?
- Does the tracking number work on the official site?
- Is it asking for card details before showing the delivery?
- Is the message rushing you?
What to do if you entered card details
Call the card issuer or bank using the official number. Ask whether the card should be frozen or replaced. Review recent transactions.
If you entered a bank login or OTP, treat it as a bank scam and act fast.
FAQ
Are small delivery fees always fake?
No. The fee is not the proof. The route is. If you were expecting a package, open the courier or merchant app yourself and check there before entering card details.
What if the message has a tracking number?
Copying a tracking style is easy. Use the tracking number you already received from the merchant or courier, not only the number inside the suspicious message.
Should I pay if the message says the package will be returned today?
Do not pay from the message link. Urgent return language is there to make AED 7 or AED 12 feel too small to question.
Read next
- /ae/blog/fake-bank-sms-uae-otp/
- /ae/blog/how-to-report-scam-text-uae/
- /us/blog/how-to-block-scam-texts-and-emails-on-iphone/
Sources
- UAE government portal, report cybercrimes online: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/justice-safety-and-the-law/cyber-safety-and-digital-security/report-cybercrimes-online
- FTC, recognizing and reporting spam text messages: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages
- SMS phishing systematic review: https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.11429