[Misc] Unordered Parcel arriving - scam?

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

There is no doubt in my mind this isn't legit.
Who orders a piece of kit like this to the wrong address with no name on it?

i had something similar a few years ago with Vodafone (2 brand new iPhones ordered in my name). The ball ache involved in sorting it out was something else

This. And no invoice or any kind of enclosed bumf is a definite red flag in my view

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

There will be no evidence that you signed for it. And if they are crooks they are hardly going to take you to court. But there could be some sort of attempt to get you to accept liability and make a payment. And yet the device is expensive so my guess is the error was genuine.

Some delivery companies have cameras. I bought a present for a friend in the UK and I received a photo of her boyfriend's bare feet at their front door as evidence the delivery was made. Bizarre but true.

 

[dejavuatbtn]

This. And no invoice or any kind of enclosed bumf is a definite red flag in my view

Yes, a lot of stuff I receive now doesn’t have any paperwork inside, even if it is in a cardboard box. Lazy fron a company perspective.
this one sounds like someone has bought ordered/something from a third party and used some vulnerable else’s address. Once they know when it has been delivered (text on burner phone?) they go along and pick it up.

 

[Klaas]

Thanks for all the replies.
I wasn't very clear in my OP. When I said no name, I meant it didn't have my mum's name, there was someone else's name on it.
Mum is almost 80 so deals with things in a more old skool way, and didn't really think to do things like ask for the person's details who showed up. She was just happy to offload it.
I hope that is the end of it.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Some delivery companies have cameras. I bought a present for a friend in the UK and I received a photo of her boyfriend's bare feet at their front door as evidence the delivery was made. Bizarre but true.

Yep. Amazon and the Post Office take a photo of anything substantial, here.

 

[Klaas]

Yes, a lot of stuff I receive now doesn’t have any paperwork inside, even if it is in a cardboard box. Lazy fron a company perspective.
this one sounds like someone has bought ordered/something from a third party and used some vulnerable else’s address. Once they know when it has been delivered (text on burner phone?) they go along and pick it up.

This is what it feels like to me.

 

[Klaas]

Did the woman have id matching the name on the parcel?

Did your mum snap a copy of it on her phone and a pic of the caller?

Did caller have proof of address and if so, was she local or was it obvious how address issue happened?

If not, your mum could have either returned the item or if not straightforward, handed to police and let them sort it.

All very easy for me to say, maybe not easy to do if you're older or feeling intimidated on your doorstep.

I wish she had done all of those things but no, she didn't. Luckily, I guess, she's mostly just been annoyed by the whole thing and when the woman turned up she just handed it over. Apparently the woman was very apologetic and had her phone out planning to show my mum something but my mum just said, here take it. Hopefully the end of it.

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

I would never open a parcel that’s not in your name regardless if it’s delivered to your address. It’s actually an offence https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/26/section/84

I think the key bit though it ... "A person commits an offence IF, intending to act to a person’s detriment and without reasonable excuse"

A number of years ago we started receiving post to our home for a man and woman - mostly for the man. The address including postcode was spot on, but we had no idea who these people were. For a while we just returned them to sender marking them not known at this address. This was ignored and the letters kept coming. On one of them I could see from the window on the envelope that it was from a debt collecting agency. So I did start opening them and attempted to phone the companies and try and explain what was happening. This was easier said than done. Those I did get through to just treated me as though I was the debtor and those that told me they would make a note on their records continued to send letters and threaten to turn up on my doorstep.

In the end I took legal advice and was told to email the companies with some specific wording about suing them for distress etc (I can't remember the exact term that was suggested). The solicitor I spoke with said I was OK opening the post as it was the only way to try and stop what was happening as my initial attempts (returning the letters) had failed. This went on for 3/4 years ... and then randomly after a long time I'd get another letter. It really was quite stressful dealing with it.

I don't think the OP's mum opening it could be construed as being to someone's detriment etc as they could argue they were trying to find info on who the parcel was for.

 

[Weststander]

It was a scam.

Possibly using a stolen, hacked old or fraudulently obtained new credit/debit card, they’d registered to your mum’s address.

 

[Zeberdi]

Thanks for all the replies.
I wasn't very clear in my OP. When I said no name, I meant it didn't have my mum's name, there was someone else's name on it…

Apparently the woman was very apologetic and had her phone out planning to show my mum something but my mum just said, here take it. Hopefully the end of it...
Mum is almost 80 so deals with things in a more old skool way, and didn't really think to do things like ask for the person's details who showed up. She was just happy to offload it.
I hope that is the end of it.

Sounds very innocent in the end but a good heads up for your Mum to be more aware that it could be a scam if something like this happens again and maybe not open the door unless she knows who someone is.

My 89 year old Mum has a video doorbell installed by her alarm company. Although to be honest, anyone that rings my Mum’s doorbell unannounced and with nefarious intentions will get old waiting or just piss off in the end anyway - my dear old Mum takes an eternity to get to the door

 

[knocky1]

I would never open a parcel that’s not in your name regardless if it’s delivered to your address. It’s actually an offence https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/26/section/84

My solicitor told me years back that you can open any letter/parcel sent your house, if you inadvertently believe it is for you. That is in line with the legislation.

 

[Poyningsgull]

Man/Woman nicks credit card
Buys on line
Gives delivery address of local old person
Watches and waits for delivery
Knocks on door to retrieve parcel with sob story
Exits stage left
That's it.....being happening for yonks.

 

[Anger]

Wondering whether @Your Mum can offer any advice for your Mum regarding this situation.

 

[HeaviestTed]

Some delivery companies have cameras. I bought a present for a friend in the UK and I received a photo of her boyfriend's bare feet at their front door as evidence the delivery was made. Bizarre but true.

“Yes officer the photo of the strangers bare feet on my phone can be explained, I promise”

 

[nwgull]

Man/Woman nicks credit card
Buys on line
Gives delivery address of local old person
Watches and waits for delivery
Knocks on door to retrieve parcel with sob story
Exits stage left
That's it.....being happening for yonks.

That’s what I reckon.

 

[swindonseagull]

Sounds very innocent in the end but a good heads up for your Mum to be more aware that it could be a scam if something like this happens again and maybe not open the door unless she knows who someone is.

My 89 year old Mum has a video doorbell installed by her alarm company. Although to be honest, anyone that rings my Mum’s doorbell unannounced and with nefarious intentions will get old waiting or just piss off in the end anyway - my dear old Mum takes an eternity to get to the door

My mum is 93 and under strict instruction never to open the door unless she knows whos coming.....she can also see the door from a side window.

 

[phoenix]

Though the parcel didn’t have any name on apparently so seems reasonable to open something addressed to your home to see who it is for.

It's me, myself & Irene here so i never look at the name . But i did think the Lush was a bit tight

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

My mum is 93 and under strict instruction never to open the door unless she knows whos coming.....she can also see the door from a side window.

Give her my regards, if that's practicable. I always liked you folks. Slightly more than I liked my own if I'm honest

 

[swindonseagull]

Give her my regards, if that's practicable. I always liked you folks. Slightly more than I liked my own if I'm honest

Will do.......I know she remembers the C....is boys. she mentions you and your brothers a few months ago.
For her sins we moved her to Swindon 11 years ago.....she still lives on her own.