In the name of customs or a shipping service provider, fraudsters send SMS messages asking supposed recipients of packages from abroad to pay a customs fee via a prepaid payment service provider.
The message also contains a link. It is often claimed that the transport was stopped at the Berlin customs office.
Fraud via alleged SMS
Such messages are neither messages from customs nor those from the respective transport company, but rather a scam.

After being forwarded via the link, the recipient should make a transfer or provide their bank details. Customs never requests payment of import duties via prepaid payment service providers and does not send corresponding links. Due to legal formal requirements, tax notices and payment requests will not be sent via SMS. In addition, when communicating with authorities, there is sufficient time in advance to find out about the authenticity of letters and notifications if necessary.
The authority advises
Customs advises that if you receive such a message, simply delete it. If in doubt, you can also contact the responsible customs authority. Occasionally, citizens had contacted customs to transfer a usually small amount for a supposed shipment. Others had already transferred money directly to the federal treasury or wanted to pay the money personally in cash at the customs payment office. Further information on how phishing emails can be recognized and how customs handles a parcel can be found on the website www.zoll.de.
Source:
Main customs office Berlin
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