CCPC issues fresh warning of customs payments scams

Consumers are being warned to be vigilant of scam messages seeking customs payments.

The warning comes ahead of new charges to be introduced next month for smaller items bought online from outside the European Union.

From 1 July, customs charges will be applied to all purchases entering Ireland from outside the EU – including Great Britain, the USA, and China – with each unique item in a package subject to a €3 charge plus VAT.

Packages under €150 in value were previously exempt.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has said it expects an increase in fraud and scam attempts as a result of the new charges.

According to the CCPC, texts from scammers posing as delivery services are common, and as more deliveries are subject to customs charges, more consumers may be at risk of falling for scam-payment links.

CCPC Director of Communications Grainne Griffin said: “We saw a spike in scams when Brexit customs changes came in and we expect to see the same with these new changes.

“Scammers will look to exploit the situation and use it as an opportunity for fraud. All online shoppers should be alert for scam texts and emails.”

She added that “any requests for payment that claim to be from Revenue will definitely be a scam. These charges are never paid directly by consumers to the Revenue Commissioners. An Post has also advised that they will never send you a click-through link to pay charges.

“If you pay through a scam link, you’re handing your card details to scammers so you could lose much more than that first payment.”

The CCPC said online shoppers should treat any text about customs charges with extreme caution and not to rush into paying anything.

The consumer watchdog is also advising shoppers who hope to avoid the charges by ordering before 1 July to scrutinise delivery dates to avoid being hit with an unexpected bill.

Any online purchases from outside the EU are subject to the new charges if the package reaches Ireland after 30 June.

‘Avoid being stung’

Delivery companies responsible for collecting the new €3 customs charge per unique item bought from outside the EU will be introducing administrative charges to cover any additional costs they incur as a result.

An Post has said it will charge an administration fee of €6.95 for each such order.

In relation to this, Ms Griffin said that “if customs charges are not paid in advance, then consumers will also have to pay an administrative fee to the delivery company, pushing the overall cost even higher.

“We are warning consumers to be very careful shopping online this week, and in the coming weeks, to avoid being stung with an unexpected bill from the delivery company,” she said.