Package seized by Border Patrol scam

[Rogerbutthead]

Really seems like it is too elaborate to fool anybody but an idiot.

For the hell of it, I answered a call on my phone from a number I didn't recognize. Some recorded message about a package under my name seized at the border - I hung up but then got curious. Seems to be this one.

https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/24227-bbb-scam-alert-scammers-impersonate-us-customs-and-border-protection

Anyone know anything about it?

please move this to off topic - thought I was in off topic when I posted it.

[A-J]

I still can't believe that people fall for this crap. If the BP intercepts a package with contraband in it (like a solvent trap) they don't call you - the goon squad shows up at your door.

['ol shooter]

Fake IRS calls are all too common too, they hook a sucker now and then.

[DaveInOroValley]

My Dad bless his departed soul, used to have fun with the idiots that would call him. He would let them go on and on about "your computer has a problem we need to fix" calls. He would let them rattle on and on, then he would say "That's all very interesting since I don't own a computer".

They would always get pissed and swear and he would just laugh.

[SilveradoColt21]

I still can't believe that people fall for this crap. If the BP intercepts a package with contraband in it (like a solvent trap) they don't call you - the goon squad shows up at your door.

Right, they don't ask questions if they're for sure about it supposedly, they come in guns blazing

[lastinline]

My Dad bless his departed soul, used to have fun with the idiots that would call him. He would let them go on and on about "your computer has a problem we need to fix" calls. He would let them rattle on and on, then he would say "That's all very interesting since I don't own a computer".

They would always get pissed and swear and he would just laugh.

[sbo80]

I actually did have a package stopped by customs once, and did get a phone call, if I recall there was a case # I was given. They were confused by the way the overseas company wrote the customs/import invoice and wanted to know what it was (they thought it was military aircraft parts - it was wooden plaques shaped like airplane tails). Interestingly (to me) they didn't even open the package or it would have been stupidly obvious. Once I told them what it was, they just let it through and it showed up a few days later.

[microwaveguy]

I still can't believe that people fall for this crap. If the BP intercepts a package with contraband in it (like a solvent trap) they don't call you - the goon squad shows up at your door.

That is not entirely true. You get a TSA form letter and then you need to get lawyers involved because some idiot TSA inspector doesn't know what they are holding in their hand is not prohibited.

[jyo]

I had a guy (with a heavy accent) call and tell me my computer was hacked and he could help me fix it---I told him I was glad he called because my dog had hacked my computer and it would now only go to dog websites and I needed his help (!). After a long pause, he said: "Your dog?" I replied: "Yeah, my dog---he's very smart---can you help?" Another long pause: "Your dog?" he said again. He then said he would have to talk to another tech there to see if he could help---I put him on speaker phone and he came back after awhile and said he was mad because his friend said I was wasting his time and I reminded him that he called me---then he screamed some insults at me and I barked back...

[Dan_Eastvale]

I believe US Customs opens ALL letters and parcels from ALL countries south of the US.

[Garand1911]

TSA and Border Patrol do not deal with international mail, Customs does.

It would be impossible for Customs to open ALL letters and parcels.

[sealocan]

Speaking of phone calls scams, in the last few months I've been getting these calls where they just call and then don't leave the usual message about Auto Repair maintenance insurance or some other BS scam, they (or their robot machine) just hang up.

I got curious so I answered one expecting a scam artist in person or at least a robot...

And whatever was calling me just hung up on me.

It's different numbers from all over the country and I can't figure out what type of scam it is.

The only thing that occurs to me is it some really lazy telemarketer who's either dialing themselves or letting their robot dial but then when someone answers they just hang up so they don't have to talk or work.

They must have signed up for the hourly pay and not the sales commission?

[Whiterabbit]