Scammers Request Payment for Fake Tariffs

Tariffs have been in the news lately – and while tariff conversations are real and legitimate, recent activity has provided scammers with a new opportunity to target consumers and businesses with fake messages and payment requests.

By impersonating a government agency, shipping/delivery company, or importer, scammers may contact consumers and small businesses with a claim they must pay a tariff or provide private information before a product they bought can be delivered. If the target provides their personal and/or payment information, they could lose their money and be at risk of identity theft. Consumers know about shipping/delivery scams and fake toll fee scams. Fake tariff scams are similar. Beware of “unpaid tariff” texts, emails, and phone calls, and avoid opening any links or attachments.

If contacted about tariffs, consumers should be on alert for:

· Fake import/tariff forms: Collects the private information of a consumer or business for the purpose of identity theft. Tip: Do not fill out tariff or import forms – this is not a consumer’s job. The import company is responsible for this paperwork.

· Fake websites: Fake websites can be convincing copies of a real company’s or government entity’s website, and are set up to collect private information and process payments for the fake tariffs. Tip: Do not enter any private or payment information. Type in the real government entity’s or company’s official website – do not use any link or web address included in the suspicious message.

· Unusual payment requests: No real company or government entity will demand tariffs be paid with gift cards, banking apps, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Tip: Do not make any payment or enter any payment information, especially if these payment methods are requested.

While not common, it does occasionally happen that a government entity, importer, or shipping/ delivery company will request payment for an imported product. Telling the difference between a real and fake request can be difficult. Consumers should find the real organization’s official contact info and reach out to them directly – not by using any details provided in the suspicious message – to ask questions about the requested payment before taking any other actions.