The Federal Economy Department warns not to sign for parcels that are addressed to someone else. With Saint-Nicholas, Christmas and New Year just around the corner fraudsters are taking advantage of good-natured people that sign for parcels that are addressed to someone else. The fraudsters send a parcel to their victim’s address, but the name on the parcel is not that of their victim. They then call at their victim’s home to collect the parcel that they say was “incorrectly addressed”. Later the victim is billed for the parcel.
Have you signed for a parcel that was addressed to someone else? Federal Economy Department issues warning about parcel fraud
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This form of fraud is not new. However, with Black Friday just behind us and Christmas and New Year just a month away the Federal Economy Department warns that it is on the increase. The Economy Department provides a number of tips to help prevent you from being duped by parcel fraudsters.
First and foremost, check the name and address on the parcel before accepting it. If the name on the parcel is not known to you refuse to sign for the parcel. If you do know the person, for example because it’s your neighbour, you can of course sign for the parcel without there being too much cause for concern.
But what if you have received a parcel addressed to someone you don’t know?
Have you received a parcel that is addressed to someone that you don’t know in your letterbox, or have you signed for a parcel addressed to a stranger in person? If this is the case, you should not hand it over to the person that comes to pick it up.
The Federal Economy Department’s Lien Meurisse gives the following advice "Contact the online shop that sent the parcel and arrange to return it and tell them that your name and/or you address has been used incorrectly. The online vendor cannot make you pay for the parcel if it can not prove that you ordered it yourself”.
"You can also certainly send a registered letter clearly explaining what has happened. This is important if final demand bills are sent at a later date”.
Victims of parcel fraud can report what has happened to the Federal Economy Department via this link (web page in Dutch and French only). Those that have lost money through parcel fraud can best contact the police, who will file a crime report.