This was NOT a scam after all, but I'm convinced this number must get spoofed and used for it, they're so vulnerable. UPS have had one data breach after another for many years because they're so crap and uncaring and incompetent, it's vulnerable to it.

It turns out this is actually how UPS handles it when you have to pay import duties on an order from overseas but it seems so dodgy! First this phone number gives your phone one ring and hangs up to see if you're receiving. Then you get this "Dear Client" SMS, *not* with your name on it, then it says extra "fees" are payable (not import duties or GST, not itemised, just additional fees) so go ahead and transfer it to some foreign bank account then email the receipt to some strange name at whatever dot com. Yeah right, huh? Classic scammer tactics. But I looked up their official contact numbers and called them, gave them their order no. and they had all the correct info to confirm with me. I asked what the "additional fees" were for and they itemised it as GST and import duties. Fair enough, yes you have to pay these, but the way they notify you and how they want you to pay it, what?!?! I said, OK I will drive to the depot and pay it there and pick up my order myself. Oh no sir, can't do that, we don't offer that option, bank transfer only, oh and there's no one in the accounts dept to confirm it for you now, try tomorrow. So, it's too hard to have an EFTPOS terminal at this huge depot of the world's largest freight company... BULLSH*T. And they have no idea you've paid their "fees" until YOU tell THEM via some dodgy-sounding email address, yeah right again. Just one more reason I despise this company and will no longer buy stuff from suppliers who uses them.
But, anyway, not actually a scam, it's just exactly like one!

Caller: (02) 8313 3000

Rang once and hung up.

Caller: UPS

Genuine call from UPS informing me of the duty I had to pay on an import - was followed up with email with attached invoice. I did not answer but they left message etc.

Called me regarding an import duty. Sounded suspicious. Continues to get emails from them with ‘documents’ that had incorrect information. Grammar in email was horrible and used emojis. Block immediately

Having called UPS on their legit number 131 877, appears the contact requesting payment of import duty was legitimate in this instance. Referring to me as Dear Client and overall appearing as a scam contact is not what you would expect from an international carrier such as UPS. Assume they are outsourcing these matters to offshore call centres.

Caller: UPS

This was UPS. (Details below)
Hot Tip:
Before paying Australian Import Taxes over the phone, ask for an email invoice. if it didn't come from an official "______@ups.com" email address, it's probably a scam.
If in doubt, call the number on the UPS website and go from there.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was expecting 2 packages, both of value over AUD $1000.00.
I expected there to be an import tax on both.
A few hours before I saw the missed call, I actually happened to chec online with the tracking to see where the packages were at. It had it listed as Botany NSW.

On the official UPS tracking website, the details had been updated with:
"
07/03/2023
8:23 A.M. UPS initiated contact with receiver or importer for clearance information. Once received, UPS will submit for clearance.
Melbourne, Australia
"
I called the number back. after giving the tracking numbers, they were able to confirm the delivery address (which is not available or visible from the tracking number alone) and payed both import tax charges and received a Tax Invoice for both payments from an official ups email address.

UPS should send an email BEFORE making these calls, as scammers often use the same formatting and templates to trick people. I also suspect that there are the odd few in every postal delivery company who skim the phone numbers off of packages, and sell it to scammers.

This number they called from is their outgoing number, and not the inbound 131 877 number you call for general inquiries.

Caller: (02) 8313 3000

UPS, not scam.
Hang up after 2 rings, text with their bank detail to pay import tax into. Email address looks dodgy, but it’s legit.
Officers name @ ups.com

I did check BPAY number to see if it’s legit before transfer the money. The parcel waiting for custom clearance was released promptly. Looks so much like a scammer the way it was handled, but it’s UPS.

I got this too, just one ring then hung up. Then I got a text from some random mobile number about import duties on a UPS delivery. I do have one of these due, but I still don't trust it. The sms says "Dear Client", not my name, and says just transfer the money to this bank account then email the receipt to (some very foreign sounding name) at ups dot com. I think it's a UPS employee stealing the data and trying to get ppl to send the money to an account she controls. I'll get in touch with UPS through their published numbers and see what they say but this is no way to contact clients. No email received 3 hours after the call and SMS. I think they just cranked my phone to see if it would ring then sent the SMS, a legit operation doesn't work like this. I don't trust it at all.
FOr that matter I would NEVER EVER USE UPS anyway, they just suck so much, but unfortunately it's the only delivery option the supplier offers. Enough reason not to buy from them. And now it looks like either UPS had a data breach or one of their employees is using the data she access to for her own side hustle

Yeah could be a scam. I do have something coming via UPS but less than $1000 so no import duties and the invoice from the supplier clearly states that the GST has been paid. So not sure what they want money for. https://www.abf.gov.au/buying-online/buying-online

I think it was UPS. They called twice, one weekday apart. I then called their official number 131 877 as I had also got a text about import charges that I wasn't sure if it was spam or not because it looked suspicious. But my package said on the tracking that "UPS initiated contact with receiver or importer for clearance information. Once received, UPS will submit for clearance." So there was a possibility it wasn't spam. As it turns out, it wasn't spam or a scam when checking details through the official number and asking for an email. But they could have given me more than 4 seconds each time to answer the phone and send the email initially as the items I ordered needing to come within a certain time and I wasn't sure of using my money on a potential scam. Also, could have updated the tracking after trying to initiate the contact the first time, instead of it taking 48 hours to update (it was over a weekend, hence why a business day had not passed yet but 48 hours could have passed).

Caller: (02) 8313 3000

Called and I didn't answer. Then got a text with voicemail, followed by a text from a different number (0447 100 266), stating that I have a UPS shipment with a tracking number that has incurred an import fee of almost $3K AUD and to pay via EFT to a citibank bsb/account.
Obviously a scam and I always opt to pay duty as part of purchase when opting UPS as a carrier.

Caller: (02) 8313 3000

I have had the same phone calls, and genuinly waiting on a parcel from Karen Millen. The cost is of the order is $2,854.79 I paid freight for my parcel that I'm waiting on, which is incluided in this. Theres no way in this day and age I am going to be caught by this! It is such a scam. Or a dodgy freight company, that can not operate like this. Once more the person doesn't even speak proper English and they are supposedly from Botany Australia. Theres no way I'll pay this. Overseas company's shouldn't allow to do this if this if it is actually gneuine. Or it should be clear when you purchase the items that you have to pay another $500 or so to clear. I don't beleive its genuine at all.

Caller: UPS

It’s UPS.
They called and hang up after just 2 rings, left voice message, but couldn’t make sense what she said. Asked 2 other friends to listen but they couldn’t understand either.

Followed up by text re import tax for the parcel I was waiting for with their with Bank / Bpay details to pay import tax into. BPAY info was legit UPS, but with dodgy email address I need to send receipt to and the whole process made it very suspicious.
FedEx does similar with import tax, handles slightly better though.

Not a scam. it's UPS

Caller: Didn’t leave a message but it could be UPS

Possibly GST getting charged on importing items into Australia.

Woman saying she was from UPS and then I needed to pay for shipping before my item would be delivered
SCAMMERS

Caller: UPS

Got the same message via text and a voice mail message regarding the +$300 AUD import fees of an order I was expecting (they got the details of my order correct). I’ve never had to pay import fees (usually is covered by the sender etc) like this before and this whole process with the text and voicemail seems really suss and dodgy... Not sure if it’s legit or a scam…

Caller: UPS

Received call, I asked them to send an email and all the shipping details were correct and the email was from UPS. Paid using Bpay. All above board. Not to say it hasn't been spoofed in the past.

Asking for money due to an import tax incurred. Knew my name and name of my company and that I was expecting a package from overseas.

Scam