Due to policy decisions by the American government, the use of tariffs has grown in recent years. Unfortunately, the amount of fraud related to fraudulent customs transactions has also increased. Importers can use several tricks to evade customs, such as falsifying the value of goods or failing to mark them with the correct country of origin.
With US Customs and Border Protection primarily focused on combating terrorism and stopping the influx of drugs coming into this country, there are limited resources for combatting this type of fraud.
With the help of a dedicated whistleblower attorney, it may be possible to recover an award for providing the government with information about fraudulent activity. Learn how a Columbia tariffs fraud whistleblower lawyer could help.
There are numerous fraudulent acts related to tariffs and customs laws. A Columbia tariffs fraud whistleblower attorney could assist with any of the following claims:
Tariffs on imported goods can vary dramatically from country to country. Some companies fail to identify the nation where the good was manufactured to avoid a country-specific tariff. In other cases, they might fraudulently misrepresent the country of origin to avoid these obligations.
The amount owed for tariffs on an import is based on the value of the goods. Importers can undervalue the products they bring into the country, dramatically reducing the amount they have to pay.
The amount of tariffs owed depends on more than the value or nation of origin of the products. The types of products brought into this country can also determine the tariffs owed. One example of fraud is misclassifying items into a category with a lower tariff obligation.
Another scheme frequently used involves shipping goods from the country of origin to an intermediary in a country with a lower tariff obligation. This can get around the higher costs associated with the country of origin.
When private citizens have detailed information about customs or tariff fraud, the False Claims Act incentivizes them to provide it to the appropriate regulatory agency. This act allows individuals to file a lawsuit on behalf of the government against those who have defrauded it. Under the act, a whistleblower could receive financial compensation for the tips they provide.
Not every attempt to cooperate with the authorities will result in a payment. The government must receive new information, and it must lead to a criminal conviction or administrative penalty against the perpetrator.
When this happens, a whistleblower and their Columbia attorney could file a qui tam lawsuit regarding the tariffs fraud. However, an award is only available if a financial penalty is recovered from the party responsible for the fraud. The whistleblower is entitled to a portion of anything the government recovers.
If you have insider knowledge about customs or tariff fraud, cooperating with the government could qualify you for financial compensation. This potential reward can be a powerful motivator to act.
The False Claims Act could provide you with an award if the details you provide are useful. Reach out to a Columbia tariffs fraud whistleblower lawyer with Bill Nettles, Attorneys at Law, today for a private, initial consultation.
