On May 7, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) # 68569567 issued guidance outlining best practices to safeguard information regarding IEEPA refunds.
CBP warned of an increased risk of fraud coinciding with the rollout of CAPE (Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries). Heightened Scam activity may involve attempts to obtain sensitive information or interfere with IEEPA duty refunds through email, texts, or phone calls.
Common Scam Tactics to Watch for
- Requests for company, personal, or banking information
- Offers to secure refunds on your behalf
- Unsolicited communications (email, phone, text)
- Urgent or high-pressure messaging
- Messages with poor grammar, spelling errors, or suspicious links
Key facts for Importers
- Only ACE is valid: IEEPA refund requests must be submitted via the ACE Secure Data Portal using a CAPE Declaration.
- No third-party shortcuts: Any external website or unknown party offering to process refunds is likely fraudulent.
- CBP Communication Protocols: CBP will not request sensitive data (e.g., SSNs, bank info, passwords) via email or text.
How to Protect Your Organization
- Ensure ACE account owner information is accurate and up to date.
- Use only ACE for CAPE/IEEPA refund processing.
- Verify all CBP emails — legitimate addresses end in @cbp.dhs.gov.
- Do not engage with unsolicited refund offers or requests.
- Avoid clicking links or attachments from unverified sources.
- Ensure ACE account details remain accurate and up to date.
- Share sensitive information only through verified CBP channels.
Additional Information
Scheduled ACE reports (if opted in) may be sent from: [email protected]
CBP will not send reports unless they have been requested by the user.
Report suspected fraud to: [email protected]
Complaints can also be submitted through the DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) Hotline
For further details, please refer to review CSMS# 68569567.
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