Is a call from someone claiming to be border force or customs saying a package in my name contains illegal items a scam?
Yes. Border force and customs agencies do not telephone members of the public to warn them about suspicious packages and demand immediate payment or personal details.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
This scam follows a pattern similar to other government impersonation fraud. A caller claiming to be from customs, border control, or law enforcement says that a package in your name has been intercepted and found to contain illegal items — drugs, counterfeit goods, or prohibited materials. You are told that you face serious charges unless you cooperate immediately.
Cooperation typically involves paying a fee to have the package 'investigated' rather than prosecuted, providing your identity documents for clearance purposes, or making a payment to a 'legal fund' to manage the case. Some versions tell you to purchase gift cards and read out the codes to cover bail or legal processing costs.
Real customs seizures result in formal written notices, legal processes, and representation through official channels. Officers do not call random phone numbers demanding immediate payment to resolve criminal matters. If a package genuinely contained illegal items and was traced to you, you would receive formal legal correspondence, not a surprise phone call with a payment demand.
Hang up and, if concerned, call the official number for your national customs or border agency published on the government website.
Common red flags
- Caller claims a package in your name contains illegal items
- Demands immediate payment to avoid prosecution
- Asks for gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
- Threatens immediate arrest if you hang up
- Caller is aggressive and will not allow you to seek legal advice first
- Refuses to provide a case number you can verify through official channels
What to do now
- Hang up immediately without making any payment
- Do not provide any personal documents or financial information
- Call your national customs agency on the number published on their official government website to verify
- Report the call to your national police non-emergency line and fraud reporting service
- If you paid, report to your bank and request a recall where possible
- Block the calling number
Frequently asked questions
What if the caller knows personal details about me like my address?
Personal details are widely available from data breaches and data brokers. Knowing your address or name does not confirm the caller is a government official.
Could I really face charges for a parcel I did not send?
It is theoretically possible for your name to be used on a fraudulent shipment, but this is resolved through formal legal processes — not through telephone demands for immediate payment.