BEWARE PARCEL SCAM

A local resident has alerted us to a particularly alarming scam which recently occurred in Upminster.

Our reader writes: I had the unfortunate displeasure to be a victim of a very simple but extremely disturbing scam the other day. It started when a number of large parcels addressed to me were delivered to the house from a major online catalogue company to be paid on account. The parcels contained just under £1000 worth of branded shoes and clothes of varying sizes/colours. My wife reluctantly accepted the delivery as I was at work and she was just on her way out. However, as we have never ordered from this company, she called me to ask if in deed I had ordered. I hadn’t, so believing the company had made a mistake, my son tried to contact them but was rebuffed as he wasn’t the account holder. I came home slightly early and called them.

To my horror, an account (with £1000 order limit) had been set up in my name with my address and even my date of birth! The person I spoke with was very sympathetic and immediately put the account on hold and passed my details through to the companies Group Security department; as it was about 5 o’ clock the lady said not to expect a call until the next day. My wife and I thought it was all a bit strange and could only put it down to a very elaborate practical joke (which we soon dismissed) or a more sinister scam!

Just after 6 o’ clock on the same day I received a call from a gentleman who stated he was from the company and wished to make arrangements to collect the parcels the next day. I couldn’t help thinking at this point that something wasn’t quite right, but the man was very convincing spelling his name, and asking me to repeat the telephone numbers he had just provided me. He spent time explaining what I need to do and emphasised the fact not to forget to sign the form and to ensure I retained a copy. We agreed 9 o’ clock the next morning.

When I came off the phone I still didn’t feel happy, and my wife and I agreed whoever answered the door, would get the registration number and make of van. The next day and earlier than planned (8 o’clock) the doorbell went and I answered the door to a man wearing a high visibility vest and holding a clip board (all typical of a courier). He explained who he was and what he had come to collect. I signed the form which looked pretty legitimate (company logo etc), then offered to help him take them to his van. The van, actually a car (more alarm bells), was parked down the street opposite so once again feeling somewhat suspicious I suggested he brought it over and parked it outside the house. He did this, packed the parcels and on his way he went; but it did give us the opportunity of having a closer look at the car!

I had to leave for an appointment but as soon as I got back, I called the company and explained the parcels had been collected but they knew nothing about that. The scam was complete! Anyway subsequent communications with the Group Security team continue and hopefully with the information we were able to provide it will result in a police investigation and hopefully a prosecution.

I feel compelled to warn other residents as, although this didn’t financially affect us, it is not nice having your personal details fraudulently used and undesirables calling at your house. By way of taking steps to help prevent these thieves attempting this again could I suggest the follow course of action:

• Open one of the packages and remove the delivery note – there should be at least one in each parcel. Get the person whose name appears as the account holder to immediately contact the company and explain the situation.
• Insist (and this is key) on a ‘password’ at this point and explain that you will not discuss the matter with anyone pertaining to be from either the company or courier unless they give this password. The company involved in my issue, as a result of my suggestion, is looking to include this as part of their revised process against this type of fraud!
• If you receive a call from anyone regarding anything to do with the issue before engaging in any conversation whatsoever (no matter how professional they may appear) ask for the password. If they don’t have it, politely request they call back once they have checked their records; and put the receiver down!
• Even if you are given a password and you remain suspicious ask them for a contact number and before going any further, call them back.
• At no point whatsoever give details of any credit/debit cards! This particular scam wasn’t about credit cards per se as the goods were on account but during my conversation with the fraudster he cheekily asked if I wanted to purchase them!
• Finally, it was suggested that my details were taken from the electoral register which for a small fee is available to anyone prepared to pay! There is however a way (I am led to believe) whereby you can change your view status. I suggest you do this as we ticked the box to minimise personal record data on the initial registration card but we are now not sure if that worked! So check.

Remember whether you have an account or not with a catalogue company you are at risk.

If you are worried about this happening to you as a precaution you can speak to your bank as some are currently introducing fraud cover which includes insurances and help if you are caught out or you can register on-line at CIFAS the UK’s Fraud Prevention Service (http://www.cifas.org.uk). This will prevent accounts being set up in your name without first having telephone confirmation to a specific number you agree and by giving a password; it may cause you some inconvenience if it is you who is trying to set up the account, but it may save you in the long run!

2.5.08