Customs today appealed to the public to stay alert to deception-related phone calls purporting to be made by the department.

Customs noted that it recently received several public enquiries about receiving phone calls from +852 2815 7711, which is the same number as its general enquiry hotline, or from other local mobile phone numbers.

The caller claimed to be a Customs officer, saying that the called party's mail parcel or cargo consignment was seized by the department as contraband items were found inside it.

Some of the calls were subsequently transferred to another scammer posing as a non-local law enforcement officer.

Customs clarified that it did not make such calls, adding it has reported the incident to Police.

It reminded the public that officers will provide relevant information to verify the identity of both parties if they need to contact them and will not request sensitive personal information nor transfer the call to non-local law enforcement agencies.