The Deceptive "Customs Fee" Text Message
I was expecting a package, so when I received a text message about an "unpaid customs fee of $2.50" holding up a delivery, it seemed plausible. Small, unexpected fees can happen with international shipping.
The message stated: "Your parcel[ID: UK9XXXXX12] requires a customs fee of $2.50. To schedule delivery, please visit: [suspicious-link-here]. Pay within 24 hours to avoid return."
The link did not look like it belonged to an official postal service. It was a generic-sounding URL. That was the first sign something was off. However, the small fee and the 24-hour deadline are designed to make people act quickly without thinking too much.
The real goal of this scam is not the $2.50. It is to get you to click the link and enter your information on a fake payment page. On that page, you would be asked for:
- Your full name and address.
- Your credit or debit card number, expiration date, and security code.
- Possibly other personal details for "verification."
That small fee is just the bait to collect your sensitive financial and personal data.
How to Spot This Type of Scam:
- Unsolicited Contact: Are you actually expecting an international package that might have fees?
- Vague Details: The message likely will not use your name and will provide a generic tracking number you do not recognize.
- Suspicious Links: Examine the URL. If it does not match the official website of a known courier, do not trust it.
- Urgent Deadlines: The "pay within 24 hours" text is a tactic to create pressure.
- A Small, Believable Fee: A small amount is used to make you lower your guard.
What You Should Do:
- Do not click the link.
- Use official channels. If you are expecting a package, go to the courier's official website and use your real tracking number to check its status.
- Delete the message.