Possible Scam?

Brunothecatsmum

Hi.. couldnt find a category listed to ask this, here seemed most suitable, as computer related. 
I made an online purchase from Spain. GLS was the courier that end, with Parcleforce delivering this end. I received an email in my spam folder from glscs@ccllhr.com claiming to be from GLS, requesting me to pay customs fees to Customs Clearance Ltd. 
Im not dusputing the fact I owe customs charges though Parcleforce say there are no customs to pay. HMRC say it sounds like a scam. I have already received parcel. 
Has anyone here received email from glscs@ccllhr.com? 
Thanks in advance.

GrumpyDil

Google that email address and it comes up with a company that looks legitimate and a number of posts saying they appear to be legitimate but do a good job of making themselves look like a scam. 

[Deleted User]

It’s a scam. You have the item already.

Genuine customs fees are paid prior to delivery, and would be paid, by you, via Parcelforce, after they had sent you an invoice. All depending on the cost of the item, that is: https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty

Customs fees are not collected via a random, likely fake, ltd. company, sending requests from a random email address. That email arrived in your spam folder for a reason—it’s b.s.

RumRat

If Parcelforce are saying there is nothing to pay, go with that.
Duty should be paid before delivery. If there has been a !!!!!! up along the way let them sort it.
As you already have the parcel, I would stop worrying about it...

PRAISETHESUN

My experience with custom fees is that you generally have to pay them before you receive the item. Given you have the item it's very unlikely to be a legitimate invoice. I'd personally ignore it. If there is anything to come from it, you will likely get an actual physical letter about it down the line.

born_again

[Deleted User] said:

It’s a scam. You have the item already.

Genuine customs fees are paid prior to delivery, and would be paid, by you, via Parcelforce, after they had sent you an invoice. All depending on the cost of the item, that is: https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty

Customs fees are not collected via a random, likely fake, ltd. company, sending requests from a random email address. That email arrived in your spam folder for a reason—it’s b.s.

Sadly not all the time. Often posts in consumer section where courier has sent bill after delivery for duty & other charges.

OP needs to look at the T/C on the retailer site, as some EU retailer will pay the duty due & then bill customer.

So Op might like to ask retailer about this.

https://www.ccllhr.com/frequently-asked-questions

Brunothecatsmum

Thanks for all the replies! 
Point 1: I know Customs Clearance Ltd are a real company.. but why in received email does address include ccllhr.com (what does that stand for?!)
2: phone number given in email is a legitimate BT landline number though not number on CCltd website (though no doubt they have a few numbers)
3: GLS website states they will NOT email requesting custons fees
4: HMRC websites state since brexit courier companies now do pay fees in advance and claim back from customer via email/letter.
I could go on and on.. for 5 days ive done nothing but google both GLS and CCLtd, read above mentioned comments in forums, searched contact nunbers etc (im a chronic overthinker). I have now managed to find an email for security@gls and forwarded them the email. Im guessing if anyone knows it will be them 🤞

Brunothecatsmum

And just for info, the purchase was from a furniture maker selling on Etsy.

HillStreetBlues

OP  you stated you expect to pay a customs fee, how doe that compare to the amount requested?

Brunothecatsmum

HillStreetBlues said:

OP  you stated you expect to pay a customs fee, how doe that compare to the amount requested?

It looks about right, with £11.50 added on for the pleasure of their admin.

noitsnotme

Brunothecatsmum said:

Point 1: I know Customs Clearance Ltd are a real company.. but why in received email does address include ccllhr.com (what does that stand for?!)

ccllhr.com is their website domain so that is also what they use for their email addresses.  Not sure what the 'lhr' bit stands for but they have obviously gone for a shorter domain name than eg. customsclearanceltd.com.  Nothing unusual or suspicious about that at all.