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An unexpected text claiming to be from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) should be treated as a scam warning—especially if it demands money, personal information, a reply, a phone call, or a link click. Do not respond, click, call the number in the message, or pay. Save evidence, report the text, and independently verify any genuine concern through an official CBP channel.
What the scam text may say
CBP-impersonation scams are designed to create panic before the recipient has time to check the story. A message may claim that:
- Drugs, cash, or another illegal shipment were intercepted in your name.
- A package, consignment, or “diplomatic pouch” is being held.
- There is an arrest warrant or another legal problem involving you.
- You must pay an insurance, clearance, investigation, certificate, or “anti-terrorism” fee.
- You must verify your identity, bank account, passport, or Social Security number.
The text may direct you to a website, ask you to call a number, or move the conversation to another messaging service. The goal is usually to obtain money, account access, identity information, or a one-time verification code.
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The following combination is highly suspicious: unexpected contact, urgency or threats, and a request for money, sensitive information, or link-based action.
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- Threats and urgency: The sender says you will be arrested, deported, investigated, or reported unless you act immediately.
- Payment demands: The message requests cryptocurrency, gift cards, a wire transfer, a payment-app transfer, or an unusual fee to release a package.
- Sensitive-information requests: It asks for your Social Security number, date of birth, passport details, bank information, card number, password, login code, or photo identification.
- Links or callback numbers: You are told to click, reply, press a number, or call a contact supplied in the text.
- Official-looking details: A badge number, case number, agency seal, employee name, or government-style website is offered as proof.
- Secrecy: The sender tells you not to speak with family, your bank, a lawyer, or another agency.
Scammers can copy real employee names and publicly available phone numbers. They can also spoof caller ID or sender information. A recognizable number, official logo, case number, or badge number does not authenticate the message.
What CBP’s warnings say
Official warnings describe related CBP-impersonation schemes involving phone calls, recorded messages, and emails. In those schemes, criminals claim that drugs or money were intercepted and then seek banking or identity information. The CBP warning dated November 8, 2024, says scammers have used real CBP employee names and fake case and badge numbers.
CBP’s public scam guidance, published February 12, 2026, says CBP officers do not call individuals or send unsolicited emails about allegedly held packages, consignments, or monetary instruments. It also identifies supposed charges for insurance, certificates, or similar services as scams. CBP and the Department of Homeland Security do not solicit money in these circumstances, and gift cards, cryptocurrency, and wire transfers are not legitimate ways to pay these supposed charges.
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That does not require an overly broad conclusion that CBP can never send any text under any circumstances. The practical rule is narrower and safer: an unexpected CBP text demanding payment, personal information, or urgent link-based action is not a legitimate way to resolve the alleged matter unless you independently verify it through an official channel.
How the scam works
This is a form of smishing—phishing delivered by text message. The typical sequence is:
- You receive an alarming message about a seizure, warrant, package, or security issue.
- The message creates urgency so you react before checking it.
- You are told to click a link, call a number, reply, or provide identifying information.
- A fake CBP officer or investigator takes over the conversation.
- You are pressured to disclose information or send an irreversible payment.
- Additional scammers may continue contacting you while pretending to resolve the case.
The text may be only the first step. A scammer can follow up by phone, email, or an encrypted messaging app. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center has separately warned about malicious text and voice contacts that impersonate senior U.S. officials and build credibility through repeated communication.
What to do if the message is still on your phone
- Stop communicating. Do not reply, including with “STOP,” “NO,” or “Who is this?” A response can confirm that your number is active.
- Do not click links or open attachments.
- Do not call the supplied number. The number may be spoofed or controlled by the scammer.
- Preserve evidence. Take screenshots showing the complete message, sender information, links, date, and time. Keep the original message if possible.
- Report it through your phone. Use the device’s report-junk or report-spam option.
- Forward it to 7726 (SPAM) if your carrier or device supports that reporting method. This can help the wireless ecosystem identify similar messages, but it does not guarantee that the sender will be stopped.
- Report the fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Report the CBP impersonation through CBP’s complaint form, selecting the option for a written, text, email, postal-mail, or phone scam.
- Delete the message after saving evidence and reporting it.
The FTC’s unexpected-text guidance also recommends not replying to unexpected texts or clicking their links.
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Clicking a link does not prove that your device was infected, but it can expose you to a phishing page or malicious download. Take these steps:
- Close the page and do not download or install anything.
- Update your phone or computer’s operating system and security software.
- Run a security scan if your device supports one.
- If you entered a password or believe credentials may have been exposed, change the password immediately and anywhere else you reused it.
- Turn on multifactor authentication for affected accounts.
- Watch for unexpected login alerts, password-reset messages, emails, and follow-up calls.
The FTC’s phishing guidance recommends updating security software and running a scan when a phishing link may have downloaded harmful software.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If you replied or gave the scammer information
Bank or card details
Contact your bank or card issuer immediately using the number on the card or an independently verified statement or website. Ask whether transactions can be blocked, the card or account should be replaced, and additional monitoring should be added.
Passwords
Change exposed passwords immediately, beginning with your email and financial accounts. Use unique passwords and change the same password anywhere it was reused. Enable multifactor authentication.
One-time verification codes
Contact the affected service immediately and change the account password. Explain that a verification code was disclosed to an impersonator. A code can allow a scammer to bypass a normal login check.
Social Security number or identity documents
Use IdentityTheft.gov for a tailored recovery plan if you disclosed your Social Security number, passport information, driver’s-license details, or other identity documents.
Money sent
Contact the bank, card issuer, wire service, payment app, or cryptocurrency provider immediately. Ask whether the transaction can be reversed or recalled. Recovery is not guaranteed, but acting quickly improves the chance of stopping or tracing a payment. Do not send another payment to a person who promises to recover the first one.
Software installed or device access provided
Disconnect the device from sensitive accounts as appropriate, remove unauthorized applications, run security scans, and seek qualified technical assistance if the device may have been remotely accessed. Change important passwords from a separate, trusted device when possible.
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How to verify a genuine CBP matter
Never verify a suspicious message by using the message’s link, phone number, email address, case number, or other contact information.
- Type CBP.gov into your browser yourself or use a trusted bookmark.
- Use the official CBP help and complaint channels published on that site.
- If the concern involves a shipment, check the retailer, carrier, or account through an app or website you already know is genuine.
- Do not assume that a link ending in “.gov” is safe merely because it appears in a text. Navigate independently instead.
The FTC’s guidance is straightforward: use contact information you know is real, not contact details supplied in an unexpected message.
Quick Recap
A quick checklist
Unexpected CBP text?
- Stop communicating.
- Do not click.
- Do not call.
- Do not pay.
- Do not provide personal or financial information.
- Screenshot and report it.
- Contact your bank or affected accounts immediately if you disclosed information or sent money.
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