Are Trump’s new tariffs putting your wallet at risk? 3 scam red flags you need to know now, according to cybersecurity experts
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If you’ve been following the news, you know that tariffs—those taxes on imported goods—are back in the headlines, thanks to sweeping new policies enacted by President Donald Trump.
But while politicians and pundits debate the economic impact, there’s another, sneakier threat brewing: a surge in scams targeting everyday Americans, especially those who may not be up-to-date on the latest trade lingo.
Here at The GrayVine, we believe knowledge is your best defense. So let’s break down what’s happening, why scammers are circling, and—most importantly—how you can protect yourself and your hard-earned money.
Why Tariffs Are the New Playground for Scammers
Tariffs can be confusing even for seasoned shoppers. In April, new US tariffs affected goods from more than 180 countries, and the rules seem to change by the week.
As businesses scramble to adjust, some are passing extra costs on to consumers. That means you might see new surcharges or fees on your receipts, or even get a legitimate bill for customs duties if you order something from overseas.
But here’s the catch: scammers know most people don’t fully understand how tariffs work.
According to Theresa Payton, CEO of Fortalice Solutions and a leading cybersecurity expert, this confusion creates a “perfect storm” for cybercriminals. They’re betting you’ll be too distracted or unsure to spot a fake request for payment.
James Lee, president of the Identity Theft Resource Center, puts it bluntly: “Scammers will use the fact that people don’t know a lot about tariffs.”
And they’re getting creative—registering hundreds of fake websites, sending out official-looking emails, and even impersonating government agencies.
How the Scams Work
Imagine you get a text or email that looks like it’s from a delivery company, a retailer, or even the government.
It says you owe a “tariff payment” or “customs fee” to release your package, and you need to pay right away. Maybe it even offers a “tariff relief voucher” or claims you can avoid extra charges if you act fast.
Also read: The real cost of tariffs—why prices keep climbing
The cybersecurity firm BforeAI, through its PreCrime Labs team, identified approximately 300 domains registered by cybercriminals related to tariffs during the early months of the year.
These domains were used for various malicious purposes, including spreading false information and executing financial scams targeting both individuals and businesses.
Among the discoveries was a recently created phishing site designed to mislead users into thinking they must submit payments to a legitimate government agency.
“Such payment requests are likely to be spread using email or messaging campaigns with a theme of urgent, pending payments, directing victims to the fraudulent site where their actions will result in financial losses,” the researchers explained.
Distinguishing Real from Fake Tariff-Related Payment Requests
In certain situations, consumers may indeed be asked to pay legitimate fees for goods purchased internationally, particularly in the form of customs duties. For instance, U.S. Customs and Border Protection may impose a processing fee before releasing imported items.
“That’s not common, but it’s also not unusual,” said Lee. “It really does depend on what it is, where it’s coming from.”
According to the Washington Post, some shoppers have also recently received authentic billing notices from shipping carriers post-purchase, requesting payment before delivery.
Some of these carriers operate as the importer of record, taking responsibility for any applicable taxes, duties, or fees, explained Bernie Hart, vice president of customs at the logistics company Flexport.
Also read: Think Trump’s tariffs mean lower taxes for you? What you need to know, according to experts
If the shipping company didn’t collect those costs upfront, it may later bill the customer directly to recoup those charges, Hart said.
However, he added that this practice might not be sustainable: “It’s not good for anybody in this process to give somebody a surprise bill.”
Spotting Tariff Scam Warning Signs
Scammers can easily deceive unsuspecting individuals, warned Ruth Susswein, director of consumer protection at Consumer Action.
Lee of the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) noted that prolonged uncertainty around tariff rules gives cybercriminals more opportunity to design convincing scams.
Source: CNBC / Youtube.
To protect yourself, avoid disclosing sensitive information—such as your Social Security number, bank account details, or login credentials—especially if it’s being requested under the pretense of “tariff processing,” advised Payton.
Remember that most government agencies and reputable retailers will never ask for payment through a text or email link. And if you’re ever unsure, there are clear ways to check if a request is real.
3 Red Flags To Spot Tariff Scams
1. Unsolicited and Urgent Messages
2. Suspicious Links, Emails, and Websites
Have you received a suspicious “tariff” message or bill? Did you almost fall for a scam, or do you have tips for spotting fakes? Share your story in the comments below!
And if you have questions about tariffs, online shopping, or cybersecurity, let us know! The GrayVine community is here to help each other stay safe, savvy, and scam-free.
But while politicians and pundits debate the economic impact, there’s another, sneakier threat brewing: a surge in scams targeting everyday Americans, especially those who may not be up-to-date on the latest trade lingo.
Here at The GrayVine, we believe knowledge is your best defense. So let’s break down what’s happening, why scammers are circling, and—most importantly—how you can protect yourself and your hard-earned money.
Why Tariffs Are the New Playground for Scammers
Tariffs can be confusing even for seasoned shoppers. In April, new US tariffs affected goods from more than 180 countries, and the rules seem to change by the week.
As businesses scramble to adjust, some are passing extra costs on to consumers. That means you might see new surcharges or fees on your receipts, or even get a legitimate bill for customs duties if you order something from overseas.
But here’s the catch: scammers know most people don’t fully understand how tariffs work.
According to Theresa Payton, CEO of Fortalice Solutions and a leading cybersecurity expert, this confusion creates a “perfect storm” for cybercriminals. They’re betting you’ll be too distracted or unsure to spot a fake request for payment.
Cybercriminals are exploiting confusion around new Trump tariffs by sending fake “tariff payment requests” through emails, texts, and websites, often mimicking retailers, delivery companies or government agencies. Image source: EJ Li / Unsplash.
James Lee, president of the Identity Theft Resource Center, puts it bluntly: “Scammers will use the fact that people don’t know a lot about tariffs.”
And they’re getting creative—registering hundreds of fake websites, sending out official-looking emails, and even impersonating government agencies.
How the Scams Work
Imagine you get a text or email that looks like it’s from a delivery company, a retailer, or even the government.
It says you owe a “tariff payment” or “customs fee” to release your package, and you need to pay right away. Maybe it even offers a “tariff relief voucher” or claims you can avoid extra charges if you act fast.
Also read: The real cost of tariffs—why prices keep climbing
The cybersecurity firm BforeAI, through its PreCrime Labs team, identified approximately 300 domains registered by cybercriminals related to tariffs during the early months of the year.
These domains were used for various malicious purposes, including spreading false information and executing financial scams targeting both individuals and businesses.
Among the discoveries was a recently created phishing site designed to mislead users into thinking they must submit payments to a legitimate government agency.
“Such payment requests are likely to be spread using email or messaging campaigns with a theme of urgent, pending payments, directing victims to the fraudulent site where their actions will result in financial losses,” the researchers explained.
Scammers are taking advantage of the fact that most people do not fully understand how tariffs work, making consumers more likely to trust fraudulent payment demands linked to imported goods. Image source: Lindsey LaMont / Unsplash.
Distinguishing Real from Fake Tariff-Related Payment Requests
In certain situations, consumers may indeed be asked to pay legitimate fees for goods purchased internationally, particularly in the form of customs duties. For instance, U.S. Customs and Border Protection may impose a processing fee before releasing imported items.
“That’s not common, but it’s also not unusual,” said Lee. “It really does depend on what it is, where it’s coming from.”
According to the Washington Post, some shoppers have also recently received authentic billing notices from shipping carriers post-purchase, requesting payment before delivery.
Some of these carriers operate as the importer of record, taking responsibility for any applicable taxes, duties, or fees, explained Bernie Hart, vice president of customs at the logistics company Flexport.
Also read: Think Trump’s tariffs mean lower taxes for you? What you need to know, according to experts
If the shipping company didn’t collect those costs upfront, it may later bill the customer directly to recoup those charges, Hart said.
However, he added that this practice might not be sustainable: “It’s not good for anybody in this process to give somebody a surprise bill.”
Spotting Tariff Scam Warning Signs
Scammers can easily deceive unsuspecting individuals, warned Ruth Susswein, director of consumer protection at Consumer Action.
Lee of the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) noted that prolonged uncertainty around tariff rules gives cybercriminals more opportunity to design convincing scams.
Source: CNBC / Youtube.
To protect yourself, avoid disclosing sensitive information—such as your Social Security number, bank account details, or login credentials—especially if it’s being requested under the pretense of “tariff processing,” advised Payton.
Remember that most government agencies and reputable retailers will never ask for payment through a text or email link. And if you’re ever unsure, there are clear ways to check if a request is real.
3 Red Flags To Spot Tariff Scams
1. Unsolicited and Urgent Messages
- Be wary of emails, texts, or social media ads that promise “tariff relief,” “exemptions,” or urge you to “pay now to avoid fees.” Scammers use urgency to pressure you into acting before you think.
- Legitimate companies rarely use scare tactics or demand immediate payment for tariffs out of the blue.
- If you get a message about a package being held due to unpaid fees, don’t click any links. Instead, contact the company directly using a phone number or website you trust.
2. Suspicious Links, Emails, and Websites
- Scammers are experts at creating fake websites and emails that look almost identical to the real thing. Watch for misspellings, odd-looking URLs, or email addresses that don’t match the official company or government domain (for example, a “.com” instead of a “.gov” for US government agencies).
- If you’re unsure, use a tool like WHOIS to check who registered the website, or simply type the company’s official website into your browser instead of clicking a link.
- Reputable merchants will clearly explain any tariff-related fees at checkout and provide contact information for questions. If you get a bill or message that’s vague, confusing, or doesn’t offer a way to verify the charge, that’s a big red flag.
- Official customs duties are usually accompanied by a government form (like the US Customs and Border Protection’s Form 7501). If you don’t see this, be extra cautious.
Have you received a suspicious “tariff” message or bill? Did you almost fall for a scam, or do you have tips for spotting fakes? Share your story in the comments below!
And if you have questions about tariffs, online shopping, or cybersecurity, let us know! The GrayVine community is here to help each other stay safe, savvy, and scam-free.
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