Watch Out For the Package Reshipping Work-at-Home Scam

Updated May 24, 2026.

There is a work at home scam that's been floating around for years that I still see on occasion, and it's one of the worst: the package reshipping scam.

If you just received a job offer asking you to receive and forward packages from your home, stop before you do anything else. What you're looking at is very likely a scam, and it could potentially result in criminal charges.

This is very similar to the deposit-and-wire scam, only this one can have even more serious legal consequences.

What is the package reshipping scam?

You see an advertisement for a work at home job that sounds pretty easy with good pay.

All you're expected to do is receive packages at your home (which might be anything from laptops to iPhones or gaming systems) and then forward those packages to another destination, often overseas.

This position may be advertised as “package processor,” “logistics manager,” or anything else that sounds professional. But the description usually gives it away.

You're told that you'll be paid a flat rate per package sent.

The work sounds easy and the pay seems fair, which is why so many people fall for it.

But here's the big question: why would this company need you to do this for them?

If they can ship packages to your address, why can't they simply send them directly to the final destination? Why involve a middleman at all?

Those are the kinds of questions that should immediately raise red flags.

Red Flags to Watch For Before You Accept

Here are some warning signs that a “package processor” or reshipping job is actually a scam:

• The job was advertised on a general job board with very little company information provided.
• You were contacted unexpectedly and don't remember applying.
• The “interview” was extremely short, conducted only by email or text, and you were hired almost immediately.
• There is no verifiable company address, phone number, or professional website.
• They want you to sign up before explaining exactly what you'll be shipping or where it's going.
• They are vague about who the packages are coming from or why they can't ship them directly.
• The pay seems unusually high for such simple work.

If any of these describe what you're dealing with, do not move forward.

What You're Actually Doing

If you fall for this scam, you could unknowingly be forwarding stolen goods or items purchased with stolen credit card numbers.

The people “hiring” you don't want anything traced back to them, so they mislead innocent people who are simply looking for legitimate home-based work.

The scammers arrange for the packages to come to your home first instead of theirs. That way, if law enforcement starts investigating, your address is the one connected to the shipments.

Meanwhile, the scammers still get to keep the stolen merchandise because they tricked you into forwarding it on to them.

And if the police come knocking, your home may be the first place they visit.

In many cases, the forwarding address you were given is either a PO box or an overseas location, making the real criminals difficult to trace.

How Scammers Make It Look Legitimate

People have faced serious legal trouble after getting involved in reshipping scams, so don't assume this is harmless. The criminals behind these operations often go to great lengths to appear professional and trustworthy.

But no matter how legitimate they appear on the surface, you still have to ask why they need someone else to receive and forward packages for them.

There's really no logical reason for a legitimate company to ship products to your home first when they could simply send them directly to the customer or destination themselves.

Unfortunately, scams like this are still common, and people continue to fall for them every day. It's one of the reasons work at home jobs still get a bad reputation.

Thankfully, there are now actually many legitimate home-based jobs available, but scams like this continue to target people who are desperate to earn money from home.

Have You Been Scammed?

If you are currently involved in a reshipping scam, there are some immediate steps you should take.

First, stop shipping packages immediately.

Contact your local authorities and explain the situation. Forward any emails, messages, shipping labels, or other information you have from the “company” because it may help investigators track them down.

Also, do not cash any checks you've received as payment. In many cases, those checks are fraudulent too, and depositing them could create additional legal or banking problems for you.

If you've already forwarded packages, stop now and contact the authorities as soon as possible. In many situations, cooperating early can help show that you were misled rather than intentionally participating in fraud.

You should also file a report with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Both agencies use these reports to track scam patterns and sometimes take action against the people responsible.

How Victims Are Usually Paid

One reason many people get trapped in reshipping scams is because the payment promises sound believable.

The scammers may offer:

• A flat rate for every package forwarded
• A monthly salary
• Bonuses for handling more shipments
• Payment by check, direct deposit, PayPal, or cryptocurrency

In many cases, victims never receive any payment at all.

Sometimes scammers send fake checks that later bounce. Other times, they promise payment at the end of a “probationary period” that never actually ends.

This is another major red flag. Legitimate employers do not make people wait weeks to receive promised pay for completed work.

And For Finding Guaranteed Scam-Free Jobs:

The one resource on the web that guarantees scam-free, flexible, remote jobs is FlexJobs. They list hundreds of remote job leads daily across many different categories.

Another thing many people like about FlexJobs is that the site is ad-free. Because of that, they charge a subscription fee for access to their listings.

You can currently get access for 14 days for just $2.95. Just keep in mind that the subscription renews automatically unless you cancel before the trial period ends.

I've had a subscription myself on and off over the years, and I've always found plenty of good remote job leads listed there.

You can go here to try FlexJobs.

Good luck!