Few delivery experiences are as frustrating as tracking that reads "Delivered" when your porch is empty. It's the single most common complaint we see on DeliverInga — and in almost every case there's a clear playbook that recovers the parcel or the money. Here's exactly what to do. ## Step 1: Don't panic — wait 24 hours In 2026, roughly 65% of "delivered but not received" cases actually show up within 24 hours. Drivers routinely scan packages as delivered while still on the truck and drop them off later in the shift, particularly on peak days. Give it a day before escalating. ## Step 2: Check the obvious hiding places Delivery drivers, under pressure to hit tight time windows, put packages in creative places. Walk your property and check: - Behind planters, garbage bins, or garden gnomes - Beside the back door or side gate - Inside porch chairs or seat cushions - Under the doormat (yes, really) - Behind bushes or hedges - Inside the mailbox (small parcels) - With a neighbour who "signed for" it ## Step 3: Ask around Talk to housemates, neighbours and (if applicable) building managers. In apartment blocks, packages routinely get dropped at the wrong unit. A polite knock resolves more cases than a stern email. ## Step 4: Check the delivery photo Most carriers now attach a "proof of delivery" photo. Log into the carrier's tracking page: - **UPS**: on the tracking page under "Delivery Details." - **FedEx**: "Delivery photo" appears in the timeline. - **USPS**: Informed Delivery emails show the scanned image. - **Amazon Logistics**: photo appears on the order page. If the photo shows a house that isn't yours, the driver went to the wrong address. Screenshot it — you'll need it later. ## Step 5: Check the GPS coordinates FedEx, UPS and Amazon record the GPS point of the scan. If you have a technical friend, or if you contact support, you can find out whether the delivery scan happened at your address or two blocks away. ## Step 6: Contact the carrier Before contacting the seller, contact the carrier directly. This creates a case number that will make later claims easier. - **USPS**: 1-800-ASK-USPS or missingmail.usps.com - **UPS**: 1-800-742-5877 or file a claim on ups.com - **FedEx**: 1-800-463-3339 - **Amazon Logistics**: through the "Your Orders" page → "Track Package" → "Problem with order" Ask specifically: (1) can you confirm the GPS coordinates of the delivery, (2) can the driver be re-contacted, and (3) can you open a formal search. ## Step 7: Contact the seller Once you have a carrier case number, contact the seller (Amazon, eBay, Etsy or the retailer's own site). Most retailers will refund or replace quickly. Amazon in particular is known for near-instant refunds on lost parcels. **Tip:** if you paid with a credit card, you also have chargeback rights under most US and UK card networks. Use them as a last resort after the seller has refused. ## Step 8: File a police report if you suspect theft If a delivery photo shows the package at your door but it has since disappeared, that's porch piracy — a crime in every US state and the UK. Filing a report: - Creates evidence for insurance claims - Is often required by high-value insurance policies - Helps local police track patterns and coordinate stings ## Step 9: Escalate to your card issuer or PayPal If the seller refuses to help and the carrier confirms delivery to the wrong address, initiate a chargeback or PayPal dispute. Attach the delivery photo, the carrier's confirmation of the wrong GPS point, and any communication with the seller. Success rates for chargebacks in these cases exceed 80%. ## Step 10: Prevent it happening again Once you've resolved the immediate case, harden your delivery setup: 1. **Install a smart doorbell** with a wide field of view. 2. **Add a lockable parcel box** — even a cheap one deters casual thieves. 3. **Require a signature** on high-value orders. 4. **Set carrier delivery preferences.** UPS My Choice, FedEx Delivery Manager and Amazon Key all allow you to specify safe spots. 5. **Ship to a neighbour, workplace or Access Point** when you'll be away. 6. **Track proactively** with SMS alerts so you can head off "left on porch" scans while you're at home. ## When it's not theft — common alternative explanations - **Marked delivered early.** Some drivers pre-scan an entire route. - **Delivered to the wrong address.** Very common in apartment buildings. - **Delivered to a hidden safe space.** Check porch furniture and back doors. - **Delivered to the previous resident.** Check that your address is correctly updated with the seller. - **Package still inside the truck.** Around 3% of "delivered" scans are actually still on the truck. ## The bottom line A "delivered but not received" tracking scan is annoying but rarely final. Wait 24 hours, check the delivery photo, escalate through the carrier and then the seller, and use a chargeback as a last resort. Two-thirds of cases resolve themselves within a day, and almost all of the rest end in a refund or replacement. And once it's over, take five minutes to add a review on DeliverInga — the carriers with the highest "wrongly marked delivered" rates deserve to be called out.