Beware of Unsolicited Packages: A Christmas-Time Concern

As the festive season draws closer, many of us look forward to the joy of receiving gifts in the post, but not all deliveries bring good tidings. 

The phenomenon of receiving unsolicited packages, items sent without your request or knowledge, has raised significant concerns, especially around Christmas time. 

While some might see this as a harmless curiosity or even a lucky coincidence, it can come with strings attached.

Here, we explore the reasons behind this trend, the risks it presents, and what to do if you find yourself on the receiving end of an unexpected delivery.

Why Are Unsolicited Packages Sent?

Unsolicited packages are often linked to scams or shady business practices. Common reasons include:

Brushing Scams

In a "brushing" scam, online sellers send packages to random addresses to boost their sales figures artificially. Once the item is delivered, the seller can write a fake "verified" review on their site, giving the illusion of satisfied customers.

Phishing Attempts

Some packages may include requests for personal or financial information, cleverly disguised as holiday greetings or promotions.

Fraudulent Charges

In certain cases, the unsolicited package is part of a scheme where your card details have been stolen, and a small, inexpensive item is shipped to see if the fraudulent transaction goes unnoticed.

Marketing Gimmicks

Companies may send "free samples" in an attempt to gain your trust and entice you to make a purchase. However, these often come with hidden costs or obligations.

Why Is This Concerning at Christmas?

The festive period sees a significant rise in online shopping and gift deliveries. This heightened activity makes it easier for scammers to blend in, as we're less likely to question unexpected deliveries amidst the flurry of legitimate parcels. Additionally, our personal details may be more widely shared during this time, especially if we’re shopping on less-secure websites or signing up for holiday promotions.

The Risks of Unsolicited Packages

Privacy Violations

Receiving an unsolicited package might mean that your personal information—such as your name, address, or contact details—has been compromised. This can be unsettling and potentially lead to further breaches.

Financial Fraud

If the package is part of a brushing scam or fraudulent charge, you may unknowingly be a victim of identity theft.

Hidden Costs

Some unsolicited packages may claim to be free but later hit you with unexpected charges, subscriptions, or obligations.

Health and Safety

In rare cases, the contents of unsolicited packages can be harmful or contaminated. Opening an unknown package without verifying its origin can pose risks.

What Should You Do If You Receive One?

Don’t Open It Immediately

If you’re unsure about the package’s origin, leave it sealed until you’ve done some investigating.

Check for Clues

Look for a return address, company logo, or tracking information. This might give you an idea of where it came from.

Contact the Sender or Courier

If the package includes any information about the sender or courier, reach out to them to clarify.

Report It

In the UK, you can report unsolicited packages to Action Fraud or your local Trading Standards. They can advise you on the best course of action.

Dispose of It Responsibly

If you’re confident it’s part of a brushing scam or a marketing tactic, and it contains no harmful items, dispose of the package in an environmentally friendly way.

Monitor Your Accounts

Check your bank and online shopping accounts for any unauthorised transactions or suspicious activity.

How to Protect Yourself

Be Wary of Sharing Your Information

Only shop with reputable retailers and avoid giving out personal details unnecessarily.

Use Secure Payment Methods

Pay with credit cards or trusted payment platforms that offer fraud protection.

Monitor Your Online Presence

Regularly review your accounts and change passwords to safeguard your information.

Trust Your Instincts

If something feels off, take it seriously. It’s better to err on the side of caution during this busy season.

While Christmas is a time of goodwill and generosity, it’s important to stay vigilant and protect yourself from potential scams. Unsolicited packages might seem harmless, but they can carry risks that dampen the holiday spirit. By staying informed and cautious, you can enjoy the season with peace of mind, knowing that your gifts—and your personal information—are safe.

Expert on parcel deliveries, Parcelhero’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks M.I.L.T., says: "We all have parcels arriving left, right and centre at this time of year. 

"However, it pays to take notice of exactly where each package has come from, in case you find yourself involved in a Christmas “Brushing” scam.

"Unscrupulous e-commerce sellers send unsolicited packages to people in an attempt to boost their ratings and reviews. It’s a practice known as “Brushing”. The term comes from the scammers’ intention to brush aside suspicion.

"If your name is on the address label, it could be an indication that your personal data has been accessed or compromised. Of course, this need not mean your information has been shared in a data breach; it’s likely your details are also available on various public directories and even on social media.

"Staffordshire Police says it has received a number of reports of people receiving cheap items of jewellery, made to look like more valuable items, that they have not ordered. One person had even had six plastic washing machines delivered."

He added: "Christmas can be an overwhelming time for people buying online and mailing presents in time for the Big Day. With many international mailing deadlines coming early, Parcelhero has relaunched our popular Christmas tool in the nick of time. 

"You can now find out the last collection dates for presents to UK and international destinations to help ensure gifts reach their destinations on time. To check the easy-to-use final collection dates tool and also see the UK’s top 50 retailers’ Christmas order deadlines, see: https://www.parcelhero.com/events/christmas-gifts-delivery"

You can contact Action Fraud UK via https://www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling them on 0300 123 2040.

People in Wales can visit the Welsh language Action Fraud service via https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/welsh

US Government shutdown delayed, but exporters should brace for Christmas disruption, warns ParcelHero

An 11th-hour deal means a potential US Government shutdown has been postponed until 17 November. But international parcel delivery expert ParcelHero says a long-term agreement looks further away than ever. UK exporters to the US should prepare for disruption before Christmas, it warns.

The US Government narrowly avoided a shutdown of many services after a stopgap funding deal was finally agreed last Saturday. 

The shutdown could have had an impact on UK-US trade and deliveries. But home delivery expert ParcelHero is warning the deal may have only delayed the inevitable until November 17th.

With mere hours to spare, the Republican House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy, managed to delay a Government shutdown for a further 45 days. 

Tens of thousands of US Government employees would have been furloughed without pay and many federal services suspended from 00:01 ET (5am BST) on Sunday.

ParcelHero’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks M.I.L.T., says: "The short-term funding deal is good news for the US economy and everyone who does business with America. But in truth it's only kicked the can down the road. And a deal in November now looks even less likely to be a success.

‘The Government funding bill was narrowly passed in the House when McCarthy struck a deal with the Democrats, in defiance of the hard-line right in his own party. Rebel Republicans previously threatened to trigger moves to replace McCarthy if he were to make such a deal. Now they have started proceedings that will end in his replacement, possibly with a Speaker less willing to seek a compromise. If that happens, the chances of a funding deal on 17 November look even more distant."

He went on to say: "If there's a US Government shutdown after 17 November, it could have an impact on UK businesses and individuals who are sending products, gifts and mail to the US. That’s bad news leading in to the peak Christmas season. Some of the services which may be potentially affected are:

Mail

‘Many traditional UK Post Office mail services and certain economy courier services to the USA make use of the United States Postal Service for final delivery. There were some fears a shutdown could disrupt low-cost UK-US mail deliveries.

‘However, the USPS is funded via the sales of products (like stamps) and services, and not directly by the US Government. That means deliveries shouldn't be interrupted.

"The US National Postal Mail Handlers Union says: "It needs to be emphasised that the Postal Service and its employees won't be directly impacted by a shutdown. The USPS isn't an appropriated federal agency, and Mail Handlers will still receive pay checks and will still report to work." US Post Offices should also remain open.

Customs and maritime shipments

"The US Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) says a potential shutdown “will hinder the work of Government agencies that contribute to the foreign commercial activities of the United States”. That list includes US Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security, the Department of Transportation and the Federal Maritime Commission.

"CSIS says: “Essential work from agencies such as Customs and Border Protection’s cargo processing and inspection at ports, will continue, but functions less essential to day-to-day work but ultimately critical to these agencies’ long-term capabilities, like training activities, will be suspended.”

"Likewise, Government activities related to imports and trade monitoring, such as tariff exclusion request processing, would likely cease.

Airfreight

‘Many UK products are airfreighted to America, often in the holds of passenger services. The US political news site The Hill reports US Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, has warned of potential disruptions in the airline industry, and highlighted the possible impact of a shutdown on air traffic control training:

“A shutdown would include, just in the transportation side alone, shutting down air traffic control training at the exact moment when the country recognizes the need for more, not less air traffic control staffing, and when we have finally got cancellations back at or below normal rates. 

"The air traffic controllers who would be working in the towers, they wouldn’t get paid. They’re under enough stress as it is doing that job without having to come into work with the added stress of not receiving a pay check.”

US services

‘Finally, during the last shutdown, almost 90% of the Department of Commerce’s staff was furloughed and the International Trade Commission was closed. Any progress on the elusive US-UK free trade agreement would also be further hindered. ParcelHero’s USA page will give live information on all available services in the event of a US Government shutdown, as well as full details on Customs advice, sending food, prohibited items, etc. 

‘The US is ParcelHero’s biggest individual overseas market. For expert advice on UK-US shipping, including Customs information, help for exports and prohibited items details, see: https://www.parcelhero.com/en-gb/international-courier-services/usa-parcel-delivery

Don't Yell for Yodel!

Don't yell for Yodel! That's the message that many customers are sending to mail order firms like Amazon, Littlewoods, Early Learning Centre, Homebase, Tesco, etc.

Yodel appear not to acknowledge that they have a problem, diverting attention from problems by saying that they made many successful deliveries.

However, there have been far too many examples of deliveries not being made to the intended recipient for utterly ludicrous and dubious reasons. Typical claims are that people were not in to receive the parcel when they were at home. That a card was put through a letterbox, when it wasn't. That because the home they were to deliver to was in a remote rural location they could not find it. Even though the address was, in reality, quite close to the centre of a very busy town!

If you cannot get any sense from Yodel or the firm that you have bought the item from (after all it is THEIR responsibility to ensure that you receive the goods you buy from them!) you can try contacting Consumer Direct http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Consumerrights/index.htm who will be able to help tell you either get your goods or your money back.

Complaints to Yodel can be made at http://www.yodel.co.uk/contact-us.aspx.

Also if you bought your goods by credit card then under the current laws you can get your money back from the credit card company.

Beat the Christmas Postal Rush This Year With ParcelsPlease

With Christmas just round the corner, the leading parcel delivery company ParcelsPlease advise customers of their collection dates, so they can have all their gifts delivered by the 25th of December.

The festive season is almost upon us, and with so much to do in time for Christmas day, the UK parcel delivery company, ParcelsPlease have released their collection dates for Christmas and New Year, so that consumers can be extra organised and most importantly, have more time to spare so that they can sit back, relax and finally, enjoy Christmas 2011.

A spokesperson for ParcelsPlease comments: “Christmas is a fantastic time of year, but it's also one of the busiest seasons for the postal service, and we know that if customers are kept up to date on the final posting dates before Christmas, it helps them be more organised with what gifts and cards they need to post. So on the ParcelsPlease website, we've made it so much easier for our customers to arrange their Christmas deliveries by allowing them to make bookings up to three weeks before the day of collection, which means that they can plan ahead and beat the horrible winter weather, simply by using ParcelsPlease.”

The collection dates for Christmas and new year can be accessed on the ParcelsPlease Christmas Parcel Deliveries page where customers can quickly and easily find the company's parcel collection dates for this period, depending on the date, and most importantly, the location of the customer. Which means that all their customers will be able to find out when their parcel can be collected, and most importantly, when it will arrive.

The spokesperson for ParcelsPlease continues: “With Christmas fast approaching, to a lot of people there is nothing more important than insuring that Christmas presents reach their loved ones in plenty of time for the 25th December. Instead of waiting in queues to post your parcel, we encourage customers to use use the ParcelsPlease website and benefit from our vast experience in shipping Christmas presents around the world. Whether it’s to send a present to an aunt in France or a friend in Australia, ParcelsPlease is a cost effective and reliable parcel delivery company to trust with Christmas deliveries.”

FACTFILE:

ParcelsPlease is the online trading name of Consolidated Carriers Ltd, known as CCL, which offers reliable mail delivery in the UK, Europe and worldwide. CCL – a complete logistics supermarket – has been operating in the logistics industry since 1999, and has moved over 10 million parcels to date.

Booking deliveries with ParcelsPlease and CCL means dealing with a company that knows the logistics industry inside out, and which shares contracts with the world's most reliable and competitive parcel carriers.

ParcelsPlease and CCL value everything from quality to responsibility, including the environment; ParcelsPlease not only has ISO 14001 (the internationally accepted standard outlining an effective Environmental Management System (EMS) Standard) but is also carbon neutral as well.

For more information about CCL, please visit our corporate website at http://www.ccl-logistics.com/