DEMING – U.S. Customs and Border Protection is alerting the public to a persistent phone scam in which fraudsters impersonate CBP officers or Border Patrol agents in an attempt to steal personal and financial information. The scam, reported nationwide, often involves threats or promises tied to fake drug shipments, intercepted money, or self-deportation demands.
Victims say callers claim that packages containing drugs or large sums of cash have been found with the target’s name and address. The caller then demands confirmation of personal details—often including banking or Social Security information—and may even threaten that law enforcement is on the way. In some cases, the scammer provides real CBP employee names and legitimate office phone numbers to make the call sound more convincing.
Another variation includes pre-recorded messages stating that a suspicious shipment has been intercepted. The recording instructs the recipient to press a number to speak with an officer. Once connected, the scammer continues the ruse and pushes for sensitive information.
CBP emphasizes that it never contacts individuals by phone to request money or personal information, and does not threaten arrest or offer rewards in exchange for cooperation. Officials urge residents to hang up immediately if contacted and report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission.
Scammers often spoof legitimate CBP phone numbers or use real agent names found online. CBP advises the public not to trust caller ID and to never return calls using phone numbers left in messages. If in doubt, verify the agency’s contact details through its official website.
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