Hertfordshire Police warn residents after series of delivery scams

Hertfordshire Police is warning residents to stay vigilant following reports of people receiving unexpected packages from couriers, over the last week.

Victims have received packages that were addressed to them but contained items that they had not ordered. A short while later a woman wearing a DPD courier uniform has arrived to collect the packages, claiming they had been delivered to the wrong address. In the reported instances the packages have contained either iPhones or laptops and have been dispatched by AO.

Detective Chief Inspector Sam Khanna, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit said: “We want all residents to be aware of this potential fraud.

"If goods are delivered that you have not ordered and are marked with your address you should inform the company that sent it and wait for them to send a courier.

"Always check with them which courier company is making the collection and when they will arrive.

"If someone knocks on the door claiming to have come to pick it up after it was delivered by mistake, think twice about handing it over.

"Are they from the same company that just delivered it? Can you see a company vehicle? Just because they are in a uniform does not mean they are from the company as they claim.

“If someone tries to deliver a parcel you’ve not ordered, refuse to accept it so that it goes back to the depot or the sender.

"If you have handed a parcel over please report it to Action Fraud. If someone is at your door claiming to have come to pick up a parcel you never ordered ring 999.”

Hertfordshire Constabulary offers the following crime prevention advice:

- If possible, don’t accept or sign for parcels you haven’t ordered.

- If a parcel you have received is not something you have ordered, you should not hand the parcel over to someone calling at your door unless you have made a prior arrangement for its collection and you are able to check the identity of the caller.

- If you realise a parcel you have received is something you have not ordered, you should immediately contact the company to arrange for its collection. Remember to ask how to ensure the identity of the person collecting it.

- If you have already handed over a package in the circumstances described contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via www.actionfraud.police.uk.