$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
package held at customs scam
Scammers send messages claiming your international package is stuck at customs and you must pay a fee or provide identification to release it, leading to financial theft or identity fraud.
“package delivery scam text”
↓ 31%Key indicators
Usually targetsOnline shoppers
Often hitsFreelancers and contractors
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$160
median reported loss
Typical range$16 – $1.6K
Recovery rate~20%
Annual reports160,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers send official-looking emails or texts claiming a customs authority or carrier is holding your package.
2
Victims are asked to pay a customs fee through a fraudulent payment portal.
3
Some versions also request a copy of your ID or passport, enabling identity theft.
What to do first
Verify any customs charges by contacting the shipping carrier or customs broker directly.
Related terms
customs clearance scamheld at border scamimport fee phishingPackage delivery scamsEmailSurgingOnline shoppersSmall business ownersFreelancers and contractorsSmall business ownersPayroll, HR, and finance teamsUnited StatesUnited KingdomAustraliacustoms clearance scamheld at border scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Samantha, 34, a online shoppers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate package delivery scams situation while using Email. Scammers send official-looking emails or texts claiming a customs authority or carrier is holding your package.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Victims are asked to pay a customs fee through a fraudulent payment portal.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Some versions also request a copy of your ID or passport, enabling identity theft.
The outcome
Samantha realized something was wrong when claims your package requires immediate customs payment or it will be returned or destroyed. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Verify any customs charges by contacting the shipping carrier or customs broker directly. Samantha's experience shows why claims your package requires immediate customs payment or it will be returned or destroyed and requests payment through gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Claims your package requires immediate customs payment or it will be returned or destroyed
- Requests payment through gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
- The tracking number provided does not exist when checked on the official carrier website
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Verify any customs charges by contacting the shipping carrier or customs broker directly.
- ✓Legitimate customs duties are typically collected by the carrier at delivery or through their official portal.
- ✓Report suspicious customs notifications to the carrier and the FTC.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
- ✓Keep the full sender address, domain, attachments, and—if possible—the raw email headers.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection advises that it does not contact individuals directly by email or text to collect customs duties on personal shipments.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Verify any customs charges by contacting the shipping carrier or customs broker directly.
- ✓Legitimate customs duties are typically collected by the carrier at delivery or through their official portal.
- ✓Report suspicious customs notifications to the carrier and the FTC.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection advises that it does not contact individuals directly by email or text to collect customs duties on personal shipments.
OpenScam research
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Online shoppers, Small business owners
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada
Primary channel
Email — Package delivery scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Online shoppers are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection advises that it does not contact individuals directly by email or text to collect customs duties on personal shipments.
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about package held at customs scam
How does the package held at customs scam work?+
Scammers send official-looking emails or texts claiming a customs authority or carrier is holding your package. Victims are asked to pay a customs fee through a fraudulent payment portal. Some versions also request a copy of your ID or passport, enabling identity theft.
What are the warning signs of package held at customs scam?+
Claims your package requires immediate customs payment or it will be returned or destroyed Requests payment through gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency The tracking number provided does not exist when checked on the official carrier website
What should I do if I encounter package held at customs scam?+
Verify any customs charges by contacting the shipping carrier or customs broker directly. Legitimate customs duties are typically collected by the carrier at delivery or through their official portal. Report suspicious customs notifications to the carrier and the FTC.
Who is most at risk for package held at customs scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online shoppers, Small business owners. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and typically appears on Email.
Is package held at customs scam getting worse?+
package held at customs scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, AU, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.
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