BOC warns of ‘unclaimed package’ scam

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is warning the public against another scam whereby victims are informed of having an ‘unclaimed’ package or parcel at the bureau.

In a media bulletin today, the BOC said the scam artists, using fake accounts in social media and emails, would claim to be customs employees.

Their intended victims would then be told that they have pending shipments or packages at the BOC and they would then be asked to deposit sums of money for payment of duties and taxes thru money remittance or personal bank accounts.

Bogus receipts, tracking numbers of packages and other documents are also sent to the victims to make the transaction look legitimate. These documents can be validated with the BOC or the parcel’s nominated courier.

The BOC added that the scam can also be sophisticated at times, involving fake tracking website of the said courier/freight forwarder where victims would be asked to “visit” to verify the “status” of their supposed parcels.

The public is encouraged to verify with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its website (https://dti.gov.ph/consumers/accredited-seafreight-forwarders) if the courier is a DTI-accredited deconsolidator.

As a precautionary measure, the scams can easily be spotted if those behind cannot provide the address of their office and insist on payment through online banking and money remittance.

“The public is advised to be careful in dealing with suspicious notifications and individuals asking for money,” the BOC said.

The bureau also asked its stakeholders receiving such emails, chats, texts and calls to immediately inform the Customs helpdesk, BOC-CARES through email at boc.cares@customs.gov.ph or via messenger at its official Facebook page, Bureau of Customs PH.

Victims of online scams are also advised to report the incident to the cybercrime offices of the Philippine National Police or National Bureau of Investigation.