Canadians are being urged to stay alert after scammers began impersonating officials from the Canada Border Services Agency in a growing fraud scheme involving claims of unpaid duties on packages. Authorities say victims are receiving phone calls, text messages and emails from individuals posing as CBSA agents who falsely claim a parcel is being held at the border and demand payment to release it.
In many cases, the fraudsters threaten serious consequences, including fines or even jail time, if the supposed duties and taxes are not paid immediately. Officials stress that such threats are a clear warning sign of a scam. While the CBSA may occasionally contact recipients to clarify import details, it does not demand payments directly over the phone, text message or email.
The agency notes that duties and taxes on mailed items are typically collected by Canada Post before a package is delivered. Any caller claiming to represent CBSA and requesting payment or personal financial information should be treated with suspicion.
Fraudsters behind these schemes often use sophisticated tactics to appear legitimate. Their emails and messages may include official-looking logos, employee names and government-style formatting to convince recipients the communication is authentic. Phone calls may also display fake numbers or department names designed to mimic legitimate government contacts.
Security experts say these scams rely on several forms of spoofing, including manipulated caller ID numbers that make calls appear to come from trusted organizations. Similar tactics are used in email spoofing, where scammers replicate the design of official government messages, and website spoofing, where fake web addresses closely resemble legitimate government websites.
Authorities warn Canadians never to share sensitive information such as social insurance numbers, credit card details, bank account numbers or passport information with anyone claiming to represent a government agency through unsolicited calls or messages. The CBSA emphasizes that it does not initiate requests for such information by phone, text or email.
To protect themselves, Canadians are advised to avoid clicking links in unexpected emails or text messages and to verify any suspicious communication by contacting the organization directly using official contact details listed on its website. Experts also recommend hanging up suspicious calls and waiting a few minutes before calling the agency independently to confirm whether the request is genuine.
Anyone who believes they have encountered a fraud attempt is encouraged to report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, which tracks scams and provides guidance to help prevent others from becoming victims. Officials say public awareness remains one of the most effective tools in combating the rising number of impersonation scams targeting Canadians.