Don’t be caught out by the latest Delivery Scam

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is! If you’re not expecting it, don’t sign for it! This is sound advice following the latest delivery scam to reach the UK.

Unscrupulous fraudsters are finding ever more inventive ways to con people out of their hard-earned cash and one of the latest is a delivery scam.

So, there’s a knock at your door and it’s a delivery driver who’s got a parcel for you.  You don’t remember ordering anything but you sign for it and go inside.  When you open it, you find that it’s a brand new mobile phone but you’re confused, you’ve not ordered it!

Later in the day there’s another knock at the door from another delivery drive who goes onto explain that it was delivered by mistake and he wants it back.  Would you hand it over?

This is a new type of scam where criminals are getting access to your personal data and placing orders in your name.  The criminals then try to intercept the delivery of the goods leaving you potentially out of pocket.

So what should you do?

If you receive a package that you aren’t expecting, contact the seller immediately.  They will then be able to help to arrange collection of the package.  If appropriate the seller will also inform the police.

Make sure that you don’t leave personal details such as utility bills, credit card or bank statements lying around, shred them before you put them in the bin.

Scams are on the rise in the UK and it’s not only the vulnerable or isolated people that are at risk.  The latest figures from a Crime Survey for England and Wales has shown that there has been a 17% increase in fraud reports.  In the year to March 2019 there were 3.8 million frauds reported.

In terms of banking fraud, there have been 2.8 million cases relating to UK issued payment cards which is an increase on 39% from the previous year.

Thank you to Dave Taylor, managing director of Amshire IT – experts in cyber security and recognising fraudulent activities – for his Expert Opinion