--- title: "DHL scam messages: how to spot a fake | TapSafely" url: https://tapsafely.com/scams/dhl-scam-messages source: TapSafely description: "Is that DHL message real? The warning signs, DHL's real websites, how to check safely and where to report a fake." --- [Home](https://tapsafely.com/)/[Scam guides](https://tapsafely.com/scams/)/[Brand scams](https://tapsafely.com/scams/brands)/ DHL # DHL scam messages: how to spot a fake Scammers copy DHL because millions of people use it. Here's how to tell a fake DHL message from a real one, and what to do if you already clicked. By the TapSafely editorial team · Updated 16 September 2026 ## In short DHL says the only payments it requests by email or SMS are customs duties and taxes, and a one-time passcode is sent to the recipient's registered contact before payment. Official DHL emails come from dhl.com and related DHL domains, never from free services like Gmail or Yahoo. **Most common fake:** Customs duty or tax payment link for a held shipment. **Safest check:** Enter your tracking number yourself on the official DHL tracking page at dhl.com. Example · fake DHL message · Illustrative, links disabled DHL Express: Your shipment is held at customs. Pay the 2.95 USD duty fee today to release it or it will be returned: dhl-customs-release[.]top/pay An example fake DHL message with the warning signs highlighted. ## What DHL says DHL says the only payments it requests by email or SMS are customs duties and taxes, and a one-time passcode is sent to the recipient's registered contact before payment. Official DHL emails come from dhl.com and related DHL domains, never from free services like Gmail or Yahoo. Source: [DHL](https://www.dhl.com/global-en/home/footer/fraud-awareness.html) ## Common fake DHL messages - Customs duty or tax payment link for a held shipment - Text with a shortened link (such as bit.ly) from a generic sender name like Delivery - Text from a phone number with an unexpected foreign country code - Phishing email with an urgent tone or a fake shipping attachment - Fake DHL social media accounts or job offers ## DHL's real web addresses Genuine DHL links and emails use these domains. Look at the part just before the first single slash: **dhl.com** is real, but **dhl-support-center.com** or **dhl.com.account-check.top** are not. - **dhl.com** - **dpdhl.com** - **dhl-news.com** - **dhl.de** Scammers can also hide a fake link behind real-looking text. [Learn how to read a web address](https://tapsafely.com/scams/phishing-links). ## How to check a DHL message safely 1. Enter your tracking number yourself on the official DHL tracking page at dhl.com 2. Check that any email comes from dhl.com or another official DHL domain, not a free email service 3. Legitimate customs payment requests include a one-time passcode sent to your registered contact 4. Send shipment or invoice questions to DHL customer support via dhl.com ## How to report a fake DHL message - Forward scam emails as attachments, or send screenshots of scam texts and social media accounts, to phishing@dhl.com. [Official details on dhl.com](https://www.dhl.com/global-en/home/footer/fraud-awareness.html) Also report it to the official fraud service in your country. [See the worldwide list](https://tapsafely.com/been-scammed#where-to-report). ## If you clicked, paid or shared details ### Act quickly. It makes a difference. 1. If you entered card or bank details, call your bank now using the number on your card, and ask them to block the card. 2. If you entered a password, change it on the real DHL website or app and turn on two-step verification. 3. Expect follow-up calls or messages pretending to help. Never share one-time codes or move money to a "safe account". 4. Report the scam, then delete the message. More help: [Fake delivery texts and customs-fee scams](https://tapsafely.com/scams/fake-delivery-texts) and [what to do after a scam](https://tapsafely.com/been-scammed). ## Questions people ask Does DHL send messages asking for payment or personal details? DHL says the only payments it requests by email or SMS are customs duties and taxes, and a one-time passcode is sent to the recipient's registered contact before payment. Official DHL emails come from dhl.com and related DHL domains, never from free services like Gmail or Yahoo. How can I check if a DHL message is real? Enter your tracking number yourself on the official DHL tracking page at dhl.com. Check that any email comes from dhl.com or another official DHL domain, not a free email service. Legitimate customs payment requests include a one-time passcode sent to your registered contact. Send shipment or invoice questions to DHL customer support via dhl.com. How do I report a fake DHL message? Forward scam emails as attachments, or send screenshots of scam texts and social media accounts, to phishing@dhl.com. I clicked a link in a fake DHL message. What should I do? Don't enter anything else. If you typed card or bank details, call your bank now using the number on your card. If you entered a password, change it on the real website and turn on two-step verification. Then report the message and delete it. ## Official sources and further reading We check our pages against official advice from the organisations themselves and from government agencies. - [Fraud Awareness](https://www.dhl.com/global-en/home/footer/fraud-awareness.html) (DHL) - [DHL Tracking](https://www.dhl.com/global-en/home/tracking.html) (DHL) ### Got a message like this? Paste the message or link Check it free ### Still unsure? Describe what happened and our AI assistant will help, in any language. Ask TapSafely ### Seen this scam? Your report helps warn people in your area. [Report it](https://tapsafely.com/report) ### Free check tools - [Link checker](https://tapsafely.com/link-checker) - [QR code checker](https://tapsafely.com/qr-code-checker) - [Screenshot checker](https://tapsafely.com/screenshot-scam-checker) - [Scam glossary](https://tapsafely.com/scam-glossary) ## Related [Guide ### Fake delivery texts and customs-fee scams Got a text saying your parcel is on hold until you pay a small fee? 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