Parcel Held at Customs Scam
High RiskGot a message, call or offer like this?
Take your time. Treat it as a scam until you have checked it yourself.
- Don't tap links, reply, or ring numbers it gives you. On a call, hang up.
- Don't pay, and don't share card details, PINs, passwords or codes.
- Check with whoever it claims to be, using contact details you find yourself.
Overview
Scammers send SMS or emails claiming your Amazon or eBay order is being held at customs. You're asked to click a link and pay a small "release fee" or provide address and card details. There is no parcel – this is a phishing attack designed to steal your financial information.
What This Scam Looks Like
Tap a highlighted part to see why it's suspicious. Every red flag is also listed under the message.
Your parcel from Amazon is being held at Dublin customs facility. A customs clearance fee of €2.502: red flag 2, show whySmall amount designed to not raise suspicion is required before release. Track & Pay: https://ie-customs-release.com/AMZ8927413: red flag 3, show whyFake URL! Real customs fees are handled differently Your parcel will be returned to sender if not claimed within 48 hours4: red flag 4, show whyFalse deadline creates urgency. - Irish Customs Authority5: red flag 5, show whyNo such organisation - it's Revenue Customs
Red flags in this message
- 1
Sender: CUSTOMS-IE
Spoofed sender ID - customs don't contact you this way
- 2
“€2.50”
Small amount designed to not raise suspicion
- 3
“https://ie-customs-release.com/AMZ892741”
Fake URL! Real customs fees are handled differently
- 4
“48 hours”
False deadline creates urgency
- 5
“Irish Customs Authority”
No such organisation - it's Revenue Customs
Typical Targets
- •Online shoppers expecting deliveries
- •People who frequently order from overseas
- •Anyone during peak shopping seasons (Christmas, Black Friday)
- •Older adults less familiar with customs procedures
Why This Scam Works
- •Many people are expecting parcels and don't track every order
- •Post-Brexit customs confusion makes fees seem plausible
- •Small amounts (€1.50-€3) seem harmless
- •Messages create urgency with "parcel will be returned" threats
- •Professional-looking fake websites with logos
Example
A Cork woman received a text saying her parcel was held at Dublin Port and required a €1.95 customs fee. The link led to a convincing An Post-branded page. After entering her card details, criminals made purchases totalling €2,300 from various online retailers before she noticed.
* An illustration of how this scam works, not from a victim case we hold.
How to Avoid This Scam
- Never click links in unexpected delivery messages
- Track parcels only through official retailer apps or websites
- Legitimate customs fees are collected on delivery or via official channels
- Check the sender's phone number or email address
- When in doubt, contact the retailer directly
- An Post says it never texts a link asking for payment. DPD Ireland does text or email to collect genuine customs duty on goods from outside the EU, and says those requests "will always come from a dpd.ie email address". Never pay from a link: go to the courier's own site yourself
- A text that says a delivery failed and asks you to update your address is a different hook from a customs fee, with the same aim. The DPD "delivery attempt failed" text
If You've Been Caught Out
Don't panic – take these steps immediately:
- 1Contact your bank immediately to report the fraud
- 2Cancel your card and request a new one
- 3Monitor your statements for unusual transactions
- 4Report to An Garda Síochána
- 5Keep a screenshot of the text to show your bank and the Gardaí, then block the sender
- 6Change passwords if you entered any login credentials
* This information is for guidance only. Always seek professional advice for your specific situation.
Who to Contact for Help
Your Bank's Fraud Line
Check your card
Report immediately
An Post Customer Service
01 705 7600
Verify legitimate messages
An Garda Síochána
Local stationReport the fraud at your local Garda station. 999 or 112 is for emergencies only
New scams, as they appear
New scam warnings and safety tips, as we publish them.