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Pembina, N.D. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection is advising the public of a phone scam; claiming that a family member is being held at the port of entry for penalties or duties that were incurred by the family member due to purchases they made in Canada.

Typically, a telephone call is placed to an individual in the United States from a person identifying themselves as a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at a port of entry. The caller advises the victim that their son or daughter is being held at the port of entry for payment of penalty or duty in the amount of $3,500. These penalties or duties were incurred due to purchases he or she was brining back from Canada. The scam artist tells the victim that there is a Western Union or similar money order location next door that they can wire the money to in order to have their family member released.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection wants to notify the public that they will not notify an individual by phone and demand duties or penalty payment be wired to CBP.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are charged with investigating crimes with a border nexus, including telemarketing scams that are based outside the country. ICE works closely with United States and Canadian law enforcement agencies to identify disrupt and dismantle telemarketing fraud operations. If any member of the public believes they are being targeted by this scam, they are encouraged to contact ICE. For those in North Dakota and Minnesota, call (952) 853-2690. In other areas of the country, call ICE's toll-free tip line at 1-866-347-2423 or they may call their local police department.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.