How to Avoid Home Delivery Scams

“If it is too good to be true....it is probably a fraud.”- Ron Weber 

Fraudsters operate under the mandate that, as W.C. Fields puts it, “it’s morally wrong to allow a sucker to keep his money”.  

As if the global pandemic hasn’t given us enough to worry about, scam artists have found new and inventive ways of using it to steal from us. Just when we think we have a handle on one scam, another one pops up to test our defenses. Unfortunately, fraudsters are quite adept at keeping pace with the authorities when it comes to finding ways around security measures. 

As Canadians, many of us overestimate our ability to detect fraud. It seems we’re not nearly as knowledgeable as we may think. So, in light of fraud prevention month, we’re offering a series of articles throughout March centered around delivery fraud, to help build awareness of the types of scams currently making the rounds. 

Preserving the integrity of the merchandise we handle is important to us. We’re also committed to ensuring that all of our drivers are aware and knowledgeable about the rules and regulations centered around delivery. Our dedicated Risk Management team ensures that the packages entrusted to our care are safeguarded through the following measures: 

Package Delivery Scam 

There are several package delivery scams currently making the rounds. One of the most prevalent involves having a high-value item such as a smartphone, delivered to your door. The package is in your name but you never ordered it! Now what? A courier will show up at your door asking you to hand over the item. You do, only to find out that the item was purchased using your personal information, probably obtained through a phishing scam. They now have a brand new, expensive cell phone, your financial information, and the means to continue defrauding you. 

Missed Delivery Scam 

Recently, Canada Post issued a warning about “missed delivery” scams. With this one, scammers will place a note on your door claiming that they were unable to deliver your package. They will then send an email asking you to click a link where they will solicit personal and financial information. The email with the link closely mimics Canada Post’s email and branding. You take the bait and provide the requested information and now they have all they need to defraud you. 

In the case of the “missed delivery” scam, Canada Post offers the following recommendations: 

• If you have not specifically requested that Canada Post contacts you via email, delete the unsolicited email you received immediately. As a rule, they do not reach out by email unless it has been requested. 

• Do not click on any link in an email purporting to be from Canada Post, instead, visit their website and use the tracking tool found there to track your parcels. 

• Doublecheck the sender's email address, most of the time it will not match that of the company the fraudster claims to represent. 

• Canada Post does not send unsolicited emails requesting personal information such as credit card numbers, account or invoice numbers, address, and or passwords. 

When it comes to logins, make your passwords as strong as possible. Longer is better. Instead of your child’s middle name, use a phrase and make it obscure. Don’t just rely on the exclamation point as your special character. Try moving to the right on your keyboard. Practice due diligence, don’t share your passwords with random strangers and don’t use the same password for every site. 

The sad reality is that there will always be unscrupulous characters ready to take advantage of the unsuspecting. Various law enforcement agencies are diligently working to foil their schemes but we can help do our part by arming ourselves with knowledge so that we don’t become their next victim. 

Visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to get updated information and to learn more about how you can keep your information and property safe from fraudsters.