$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
USPS customs fee payment scam
Phishing messages claim a USPS international package is held at customs and a fee must be paid online to release it, directing victims to fraudulent payment pages.
“package delivery scam text”
↓ 31%Key indicators
Usually targetsOnline shoppers
Often hitsCreators and online sellers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$240
median reported loss
Typical range$24 – $2.4K
Recovery rate~20%
Annual reports160,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers send emails or texts claiming an international package addressed to the victim is held at customs pending a duty payment.
2
The message includes a link to a fake USPS or customs portal where the victim enters credit card information to pay the fee.
3
The credit card information is stolen, and the victim may be charged much more than the displayed amount.
What to do first
USPS collects customs duties at the time of delivery or through an official notice mailed to your address — never through email or text links.
Related terms
USPS customs scamfake customs duty paymentpackage held at customs phishingPackage delivery scamsUSPSSurgingOnline shoppersInternational buyersImmigrantsCreators and online sellersImmigrants and visa holdersOnline shoppersUnited StatesUSPS customs scamfake customs duty payment
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Ahmed, 34, a online shoppers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate package delivery scams situation while using USPS. Scammers send emails or texts claiming an international package addressed to the victim is held at customs pending a duty payment.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The message includes a link to a fake USPS or customs portal where the victim enters credit card information to pay the fee.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The credit card information is stolen, and the victim may be charged much more than the displayed amount.
The outcome
Ahmed realized something was wrong when message claims you must pay a customs fee online to release your package — usps collects customs fees upon delivery, not through links. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
USPS collects customs duties at the time of delivery or through an official notice mailed to your address — never through email or text links. Ahmed's experience shows why message claims you must pay a customs fee online to release your package — usps collects customs fees upon delivery, not through links and the fee amount is oddly specific and small (like 3.67 usd) to seem legitimate are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Message claims you must pay a customs fee online to release your package — USPS collects customs fees upon delivery, not through links
- The fee amount is oddly specific and small (like 3.67 USD) to seem legitimate
- Payment page is not affiliated with USPS or US Customs and Border Protection
- 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
- ✓USPS collects customs duties at the time of delivery or through an official notice mailed to your address — never through email or text links.
- ✓If you are expecting an international package, track it at usps.com to check its actual status.
- ✓Report the scam to the Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov.
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.
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.
- The US Postal Inspection Service identified customs fee phishing as a top emerging scam trend in 2023, particularly targeting diaspora communities expecting packages from abroad.
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.
- ✓USPS collects customs duties at the time of delivery or through an official notice mailed to your address — never through email or text links.
- ✓If you are expecting an international package, track it at usps.com to check its actual status.
- ✓Report the scam to the Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov.
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.
The US Postal Inspection Service identified customs fee phishing as a top emerging scam trend in 2023, particularly targeting diaspora communities expecting packages from abroad.
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, International buyers, Immigrants
Geographic concentration
United States
Primary channel
USPS — 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
- The US Postal Inspection Service identified customs fee phishing as a top emerging scam trend in 2023, particularly targeting diaspora communities expecting packages from abroad.
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about usps customs fee payment scam
How does the usps customs fee payment scam work?+
Scammers send emails or texts claiming an international package addressed to the victim is held at customs pending a duty payment. The message includes a link to a fake USPS or customs portal where the victim enters credit card information to pay the fee. The credit card information is stolen, and the victim may be charged much more than the displayed amount.
What are the warning signs of usps customs fee payment scam?+
Message claims you must pay a customs fee online to release your package — USPS collects customs fees upon delivery, not through links The fee amount is oddly specific and small (like 3.67 USD) to seem legitimate Payment page is not affiliated with USPS or US Customs and Border Protection
What should I do if I encounter usps customs fee payment scam?+
USPS collects customs duties at the time of delivery or through an official notice mailed to your address — never through email or text links. If you are expecting an international package, track it at usps.com to check its actual status. Report the scam to the Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov.
Who is most at risk for usps customs fee payment scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online shoppers, International buyers, Immigrants. It is most commonly reported in United States and typically appears on USPS.
Is usps customs fee payment scam getting worse?+
USPS customs fee payment scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US. 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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