Consumers are being urged to stay alert for scam messages requesting customs payments as new charges on smaller items purchased online from outside the European Union come into effect next month.
From 1 July, customs charges will apply to all goods entering Ireland from outside the EU, including purchases from Britain, the United States and China, with a €3 charge plus VAT applying to every individual item in a package, reports RTE.
Previously, items valued at less than €150 were exempt from customs charges.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said it anticipates a rise in scam and fraud attempts linked to the introduction of the new charges, reports RTE.
The CCPC noted that text messages from fraudsters pretending to be delivery companies are already widespread, and the increase in deliveries requiring customs payments may leave more consumers vulnerable to fake payment requests.
CCPC Director of Communications Grainne Griffin said: “We saw a spike in scams when Brexit customs changes came in and we expect to see the same with these new changes, reports RTE.
“Scammers will look to exploit the situation and use it as an opportunity for fraud. All online shoppers should be alert for scam texts and emails,” reports RTE.
She added that “any requests for payment that claim to be from Revenue will definitely be a scam. These charges are never paid directly by consumers to the Revenue Commissioners. An Post has also advised that they will never send you a click-through link to pay charges, reports RTE.
“If you pay through a scam link, you’re handing your card details to scammers so you could lose much more than that first payment,” reports RTE.
The CCPC said consumers shopping online should approach any text message relating to customs charges with extreme caution and avoid making rushed payments.
The watchdog is also advising people hoping to avoid the new charges by ordering before 1 July to carefully check delivery dates, as they could still face additional costs if packages arrive later, reports RTE.
Any purchases from outside the EU made now will be subject to the new charges if the goods enter Ireland after 30 June.
Delivery firms responsible for collecting the €3 customs charge on each individual item purchased from outside the EU will also introduce administration fees to cover their additional expenses, reports RTE.
An Post has confirmed that it will apply an administration charge of €6.95 for each qualifying order.
In relation to this, Ms Griffin said that “if customs charges are not paid in advance, then consumers will also have to pay an administrative fee to the delivery company, pushing the overall cost even higher, reports RTE.
“We are warning consumers to be very careful shopping online this week, and in the coming weeks, to avoid being stung with an unexpected bill from the delivery company,” she said, reports RTE.
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