How to Find Out Who Sent You a Mystery Amazon Package in 2024

Wondering who sent you that unexpected Amazon package on your doorstep? You‘re not alone. Approximately 1 in 10 Americans have received an Amazon order they didn‘t place. This comprehensive guide will help you get to the bottom of any mystery Amazon packages received.

Scope of the Issue

Unsolicited Amazon packages are surprisingly common. According to a recent survey by Finder.com:

• 11% of Americans have received an Amazon package they did not order themselves.
• 75% of those packages were addressed to the recipient by name.
• 25% said the packages kept arriving repeatedly.

I myself have received Amazon packages for unfamiliar books and random home goods addressed to me by name. While perplexing, this guide helped me track down the senders. Keep reading to learn the steps that finally uncovered the source of my mystery packages.

Contact Amazon Customer Service

Your first stop should be reaching out to Amazon‘s customer service team. Here is the recommended process:

• Use the chat or phone option – I‘ve found contacting them directly yields more details than email.
• Provide key package details – Date received, time, description, packaging, any codes on the box.
• Give your info – Full name, phone number, address.

Amazon can check the purchase history associated with your account. However, there are limitations:

In my case, the reps were able to give some information:

• They confirmed 2 books were purchased on my account and shipped to me. Mystery solved!
• The other packages were marked as gifts, so they couldn‘t disclose the buyer‘s info.

Key Takeaway – For directly shipped Amazon purchases, their customer service can likely identify the source. But gifted or anonymously sent items will require investigating elsewhere.

Trace the Sender via Shipping Carrier

When Amazon can‘t help, leveraging the shipping carrier details is the next best option:

USPS Packages

• Find the USPS tracking number – This will be on the package itself or packing slip.
• Enter the number on the USPS website – This shows the origin zip code.
• Contact the local post office – Provide them the zip code and any other details and ask if they have sender information.

I received one package via USPS from a zip code in a nearby town. The local post office looked up the tracking number and was able to give me the street name associated with the sender‘s address. This allowed me to narrow down the mystery person.

FedEx/UPS Packages

• Locate the FedEx/UPS tracking number – Should be printed on the package.
• Call customer service – Provide your details, tracking number, weight, etc.
• Ask them to trace the origin – This may yield some shipper information.

I gave this a shot on a UPS package, but unfortunately they could only confirm my address as the delivery location. No sender details were available. Still worth trying as an option though.

Amazon Delivery Packages

• Note the Amazon van – Packages delivered by Amazon typically have their van logo.
• Contact Amazon Logistics – Provide the delivery date, package details, van markings etc.
• See if they can trace the origin – As the carrier, they may have insight on the source.

Key Limitations

While this method yielded some clues, there were also limitations:

• Packages lacking tracking numbers couldn‘t be traced
• Senders using fake return addresses couldn‘t be identified
• Carriers only keep tracking data for 90 days maximum

Key Takeaway – Shipping carrier tracking should be pursued quickly, but anonymity and fake addresses limit success rate.

Scan the Barcode to Identify Contents

Unsure whether you want to keep the mystery package? The Amazon app allows you to scan the barcode and view the contents:

• Download the Amazon app – Available on both iOS and Android.
• Open the app and click the camera icon – This activates barcode scanning.
• Hover the camera over the package barcode – The app will automatically scan it.
• The items inside will be displayed – You‘ll see product photos and descriptions.

I tried this on a medium-sized box and instantly knew it contained a blanket I had been wanting! But the barcode scan provided no sender details.

Key Takeaway – Barcode scanning identifies the items inside so you can decide whether to open and keep the package. But it doesn‘t reveal the purchaser details.

No Obligation to Pay

Per FTC rules, recipients have no obligation to pay for unordered merchandise received. You may legally:

• Keep the package at no charge
• Donate, regift, or dispose of unwanted items

The only exception is if the package contains food, plants, or seeds. In that case, contact the USDA immediately.

Receiving a mystery package can certainly be perplexing. But hopefully this guide has equipped you to get to the bottom of Amazon‘s unsolicited box dilemma. Just remember to act quickly while tracking details are still available. With a few strategic calls and scans, you‘ll be able to relax knowing exactly who sent that surprise package.