CSMS 60040952·Operational·April 3, 2024·View on csms.cbp.gov ↗

Cybersecurity Alert – Scammers Impersonate CBP Employees

Plain-English explanation

CSMS 60040952 is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Cargo Systems Messaging Service bulletin (operational), published on April 3, 2024. It carries the official CBP guidance brokers and importers must follow for the topic — "Cybersecurity Alert – Scammers Impersonate CBP Employees". CSMS messages are the operational layer between Commerce determinations and at-the-border collections: when Commerce publishes a new rate, scope ruling, or instruction, CBP turns it into a CSMS that ACE/ACS systems and brokers act on.

Message body

Full text as published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection

CSMS # 60040952 - Cybersecurity Alert – Scammers Impersonate CBP Employees U.S. Customs and Border Protection sent this bulletin at 04/03/2024 10:55 AM EDT Cargo Systems Messaging Service CSMS # 60040952 - Cybersecurity Alert – Scammers Impersonate CBP Employees Impersonation scams are on the rise. Scammers are posing as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employees and demanding payment or sensitive information. If you receive one of these calls, hang up and report the call to the Federal Trade Commission . CBP will never solicit payment by phone . Be aware of signs of a scam : The caller states CBP has intercepted a shipment of drugs with your name and address and that cooperation is important to ensure the case is resolved. The scammer threatens the police will be arriving. The caller requests personal information or payment. Scammers may provide an actual CBP employee’s name and phone number found on the internet . Some scammers even provide fake case numbers and badge numbers. If you receive a suspected scam call : Do not provide any information or payment. Hang up and block the number. Do not call the phone number from the caller ID, or left in voicemails, emails, texts, or social media messages. To protect yourself : Reduce your digital footprint by limiting the information you share online. Scammers use public, online information to make their scams more believable. Utilize privacy settings . Review your profile, account, and connections for suspicious activity. Trust your gut . If it seems suspicious, do not interact. Spread the word . Share signs of scams with your friends and family to prevent future successful attacks. Report it . Report scam calls to www.ReportFraud.ftc.gov . Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page . You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com . This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Customs and Border Protection . Privacy Policy | GovDelivery is providing this information on behalf of U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and may not use the information for any other purposes. Powered by Privacy Policy | Cookie Statement | Help

Frequently asked questions

What is CSMS 60040952?

CSMS 60040952 is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Cargo Systems Messaging Service bulletin titled "Cybersecurity Alert – Scammers Impersonate CBP Employees". CSMS bulletins are the operational instructions CBP issues to brokers, importers, and ACE filers covering rate changes, system updates, scope guidance, and other day-to-day customs-operations changes.

When was CSMS 60040952 published?

CBP published CSMS 60040952 on April 3, 2024. The bulletin's instructions are typically operative as of the publication date unless the body specifies a different effective date.

Is the CBP CSMS the legally binding instruction?

Yes — for at-the-border filing and entry collection. CSMS messages translate Commerce's Federal Register determinations into operational CBP instructions that ACE/ACS systems and brokers execute. The Federal Register notice is the underlying legal authority; the CSMS is the operational implementation. Both should be read together when reconciling a rate or scope change.

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