Customs and Border Protection is warning our industry members and the public of fake calls and emails from scammers posing as Customs and Border Protection officers.
Recently, Customs and Border Protection officers have recorded more than 50 calls to the 1800 06 1800 Customs Watch hotline, regarding claims of people imitating a Customs and Border Protection Officer. Scammers are contacting importers requesting payments and documentation to be supplied before goods and consignments are released.
There have also been an increasing number of calls to people requesting payments and documentation to update their address and personal details.
Scammers stated that failure to complete this payment would mean people are staying in Australia illegally. Customs and Border Protection will never call or email you to ask for your credit card or banking details or to request that you transfer money. Customs Watch would like to warn members of the public to be wary of making online purchases from any unknown sources or anyone seeking financial details or payments.
If you have reason to doubt the validity of a caller or an email, ask for their name and contact details, then check these details with the Customs and Border Protection switchboard by calling 1300 558 287.
Please report any fake calls or emails to the Australian Government’s ScamWatch website at http://www.scamwatch.gov.au or call 1300 302 502.
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