Tariff confusion fuels new wave of consumer scams

[WORLD] Experts warn that new tariff policies may be providing cybercriminals with new opportunities to target consumers. Fraud attempts are likely to come in the form of "tariff payment request" messages, delivered via text or email, that appear to be from retailers, delivery services, or government agencies.

The rapid evolution of tariff policies, coupled with economic pressures, creates an environment ripe for exploitation by cybercriminals, according to Theresa Payton, CEO of Fortalice Solutions.

“The public is expecting to pay more, but many do not fully understand how tariffs work,” Payton explained. “This confusion, along with rising costs, makes it easier for scammers to manipulate unsuspecting consumers.”

The growing threat of tariff-related scams coincides with a broader uptick in financial fraud. In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that consumers lost over $10 billion to scams, a 14% increase from the previous year. Cybercriminals are increasingly capitalizing on economic uncertainty, and the complexity of tariffs presents a new avenue for deception.

‘People don’t know much about tariffs’

Tariffs are taxes imposed on goods imported from other countries, typically paid by the importing entity. In turn, businesses often pass those costs along to consumers through higher prices.

In April, U.S. President Donald Trump introduced sweeping tariffs targeting goods from more than 180 countries and territories. However, just last week, the U.S. and China reached a temporary deal to suspend most tariffs on each other's products. The U.S. also recently entered into a new trade agreement with the United Kingdom.

Despite these agreements, consumers continue to face an average effective tariff rate of 17.8%, the highest since 1934, according to a recent Yale Budget Lab report. Experts caution that scammers may also use geopolitical tensions to bolster the credibility of their schemes. Fraudsters might invoke trade disputes or sanctions to justify fake fees. “As the trade landscape becomes more complex, scammers can more easily exploit public confusion,” Payton noted.

James Lee, president of the Identity Theft Resource Center, emphasized that it’s not uncommon for fraudsters to leverage government actions, such as new programs or policies, to create scams. “They will exploit the public’s lack of knowledge about tariffs,” Lee added.

BforeAI’s PreCrime Labs team, a cybersecurity company, recently identified nearly 300 new domains linked to tariff-related cybercrimes in early 2025. Some of these sites spread misinformation, while others were designed to trick both businesses and consumers into financial traps.

One newly registered phishing site was crafted to deceive consumers into thinking they needed to make a payment to a legitimate government entity. “These payment requests are likely to be propagated through email or text campaigns, urging consumers to make urgent payments, which could lead to significant financial losses,” researchers from BforeAI cautioned.

Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to these types of scams. With fewer resources for compliance or cybersecurity, many companies may struggle to distinguish between legitimate tariff-related charges and fraudulent ones. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued guidance urging businesses to verify any unexpected fee requests directly with trade authorities.

Legitimate Charges Do Exist

While scams are on the rise, there are legitimate cases where consumers may be asked to pay fees related to international purchases, such as customs duties. U.S. Customs and Border Protection sometimes charges a processing fee to release imported goods. “That’s not common, but it does happen,” Lee explained. “It all depends on the product and where it’s coming from.”

Consumers have also reported receiving legitimate payment requests from carrier companies for customs duties, the Washington Post recently reported. In some cases, carriers act as the “importer of record,” meaning they are responsible for any taxes, fees, or duties associated with an international delivery. If these fees weren’t collected upfront, the carrier will charge the consumer for them later, said Bernie Hart, vice president of customs at logistics firm Flexport.

This practice may be short-lived due to its potential to create inconvenience for both businesses and consumers. “It’s not ideal for anyone to be surprised with a bill,” Hart said.

Consumers who receive unexpected payment requests should first confirm the authenticity of the request with the retailer or shipping company through official customer service channels. Hart also advises keeping records of international purchases, including receipts and tracking information, to validate any follow-up charges.

How to Spot a Tariff Scam

Fraud schemes can deceive anyone, said Ruth Susswein, director of consumer protection at Consumer Action. If tariff policies remain in flux, scammers will have more time to refine their deceptive tactics, according to Lee.

Payton’s top advice is to avoid sharing sensitive personal information—such as Social Security numbers, bank account details, or login credentials—especially under the guise of “tariff processing.”

Here are three key warning signs, according to scam experts:

Unsolicited, urgent messages:

Be wary of emails, texts, or social media ads promising “tariff relief,” “exemptions,” or offering urgent deals like “pay now to avoid tariffs.” Payton notes that legitimate retailers rarely push for tariff avoidance, and the urgency of such messages is designed to pressure consumers into making quick decisions.

Suspicious links or emails:

Fraudsters often create fake websites or email addresses to mimic legitimate retailers or government entities. Pay attention to misspelled URLs or email addresses that don’t match those of trusted companies or government agencies. Payton suggests using tools like WHOIS to verify domain registration and check the legitimacy of a website.

Lack of transparency:

Trusted businesses clearly outline tariff-related fees at checkout and offer contact information for verification. A lack of such transparency should raise suspicion, Payton warns.

As the landscape surrounding tariffs continues to evolve, experts stress the importance of remaining vigilant and verifying the legitimacy of any requests for payment related to tariffs.