As of: January 19, 2024, 5:37 p.m
By: Helmi Krappitz
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Become a victim of fraud by accepting a parcel - the consumer advice center warns of a nasty scam using the “cash on delivery” payment option.
Kassel – Fraudsters are always coming up with new scams: criminals rip off their victims when accepting packages.
The trick is not entirely new - but there have been several cases where the police and consumer advice centers have issued warnings.
It means: Be careful with the “cash on delivery” sending and payment method.
Payment option: With cash on delivery, the recipient pays when the package is accepted
When ordering from a mail order company, the buyer can usually choose the payment method.
There is often the “cash on delivery” option. This is a combination of shipping and payment method.
The postal service provider thus takes on two tasks: transporting the package and handing it over for payment.
DHL, among others, offers this service.
Fraud: Dubious senders send packages with the hope of payment
The problem is that fraudsters use the payment method for their scam.
“Dubious providers repeatedly send cash-on-delivery shipments to random people in the hope that they will pay the cash-on-delivery amount,” warns the
consumer advice center
on its website.
Recipients would often think that it was correct or that the partner had ordered something.
In addition, the package is often not allowed to be opened before payment.
Therefore: Be careful if nothing has been ordered.
Nothing ordered?
Then be careful before accepting packages with payment.
(Symbolic image) © picture alliance/dpa |
Sebastian Gollnow
According to Stiftung Warentest
, victims of the fraud would have
difficulty getting their money back.
The shipping service provider does not refund the money.
“Victims must contact the sender,” it says.
In most cases they are already out of the woods.
Police warn: Thuringian was sent coffee instead of a cell phone
The police are also warning about the scam.
A 29-year-old Thuringian bought a cell phone on a classifieds portal - but instead of the cell phone he only found a packet of coffee in the shipment, the Meiningen police said on December 31st.
Cash on delivery was agreed upon for payment – with a price of 510 euros.
The police called on people to be particularly careful when doing business via online classifieds portals.
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Advantages: Faster shipment through cash on delivery
Nevertheless, the payment option can also have advantages.
Instead of waiting for payment to be received, sellers can ship their goods immediately.
“Cash on delivery” also ensures that the shipment reaches the right recipient.
This means fewer packages get lost.
(dpa/hk)