CCPC Warns Public of Customs Charge Text Scams Amid New July 1 Rules
The CCPC warns of text message scams as new customs charges take effect July 1 for non-EU deliveries under €150. Scammers may pose as delivery companies requesting fees. Consumers should be cautious, as charges are not paid directly via links, and purchases arriving after June 30 are affected.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has warned the public about potential text message scams related to new customs charges effective July 1. These scams may impersonate delivery or postage companies, requesting fees.
From July 1, deliveries from outside the EU valued under €150 will no longer be exempt from customs charges, incurring a €3 fee per item. The CCPC anticipates a surge in scam texts, similar to those seen after Brexit customs changes. Grainne Griffin, CCPC director of communications, stated that consumers never pay these charges directly to the Revenue Commissioners.
An Post confirmed they will not send click-through links for payments. The CCPC advises extreme caution with texts about customs charges, warning against rushing payments through scam links, which could compromise card details. Online shoppers should note that purchases made now are subject to new charges if packages arrive in Ireland after June 30, not just for purchases made from July 1. Unpaid charges in advance will also incur an administrative fee from the delivery company.