The Bureau of Customs (BOC) warned the public against scammers who pretend to be BOC personnel, asking for tax payments and fees through Gcash or bank transfer transactions.
In a statement, the BOC clarified that the bureau does not collect payment for customs duties and taxes via personal accounts or remittance centers.
Including the BOC Customer Assistance and Response Services, BOC officials said they are not in direct communication with parcel recipients through phone calls or text messages, or even sending emails to inform them about their payment that will be paid via bank deposit or money transfer, said the BOC.
Dated December 4, 2022, an unofficial letter with the BOC logo was addressed to Yannahsher’s Office Supplies, asking for the tax payments and fees with a total amount of PHP128,585.45 through GCash or bank transfer for the release of 35 laptops.
The letter was supposedly a certified true copy signed by a certain Raquel de Jesus of the BOC-Central Records Management Division and former commissioner Rey Guerrero.
Scams may be reported to landline number (02)8705-6000 or to the official BOC social media accounts: @BureauOfCustomsPH (Facebook), @customs.ph (Instagram and Twitter), and @Bureau of Customs PH (Viber).
An email may also be sent to [email protected].
