If you search "USPS tracking number format," or the equivalent for any other carrier, you'll see a numeric or alphanumeric format.

The tracking number may come from the USPS, UPS, or another carrier; how scammers access the numbers is unclear, but that's a problem for the carriers to address.

Other Signs of Fake Tracking Numbers Often you won't need to search the tracking number to know that it's probably fraudulent. In the case of the USPS, for example, you'll only get a text about ...

If you search “USPS tracking number format,” or the equivalent for any other carrier, you’ll see a numeric or alphanumeric format.

The tracking number may come from the USPS, UPS, or another carrier; how scammers access the numbers is unclear, but that's a problem for the carriers to address.