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Scammers are posing as the Post Office to charge a false fee. Authorities warn against using official applications and checking trusted addresses to avoid losses.
Amid the increase in online shopping, a new scam has scared Brazilians. Have you ever imagined receiving a message from post offices saying that your order has been taxed and requires payment to be released? This new type of scam, known as the “blouse tax”, has been causing despair and financial losses to many people.
In the scam, victims receive a text message that appears legitimate, informing them of an alleged import tax and a link to more information.
However, when clicking on the link, consumers are redirected to a fake website that imitates the Correios website. There, you are asked to pay the “fee” via Pix, which results in the money being stolen.
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How not to fall for the “blouse tax” scam
To avoid falling into this trap, the Post Office and the Ministry of Communications issued an alert: “If you often shop online and receive messages about customs fees, be aware! These messages are fraudulent.”
They advise never clicking on suspicious links received via SMS or WhatsApp, as these links lead to fake pages. “Protect yourself: use the official Correios app to check the status of orders and fees,” authorities recommend.
The official Correios app is available for download on Android and iOS devices. The reliable link to access information about your orders is https://www.correios.com.br/. Avoid clicking on any links sent via text messages or instant messaging apps.
Understand the “blouse fee”
The “blouse tax” officially came into effect on August 1st and imposes a 20% import tax on purchases up to US$50, in addition to the state ICMS.
This fee is applied to companies that have joined the federal government program, Remessa Conformo, such as Shein and Shopee. For companies outside the program, the rate rises to 60%, plus ICMS.
For companies that participate in Remessa Compliance, the fee is included in the price paid by the consumer on the purchasing website. For those who do not participate, payment must be made on the Correios website or the courier companies responsible for delivery.
The role of the Federal Revenue and the Post Office
Neither the Post Office nor the IRS they contact consumers via SMS or WhatsApp to charge amounts. To protect yourself against scams, the IRS provides a list of official addresses to track orders on the main online shopping sites:
- 3Clicks
- AliExpress
- Amazon
- I imported USA
- Magazine Luiza
- Mercado Livre
- Puritan
- Shein
- Shopee
- synerlog
- Temu
With the tracking code, generally provided by the companies where the purchase was made, it is possible to track the order's journey on the official Correios website: https://rastreamento.correios.com.br/app/index.php.
Keep an eye out for scam signs
Scammers are increasingly sophisticated and the messages they send can appear very convincing. According to authorities, some tips to protect yourself include:
- Always check the sender of messages. Be wary of unknown numbers.
- Do not click on links sent via SMS or WhatsApp. Always access official websites directly through your browser.
- Use official apps to track your orders.
- Never make payments via Pix to release orders. Legitimate companies do not use this method for billing.
And you, have you ever received any suspicious messages about import taxes? How do you protect yourself against these scams? Leave your comment below!
