We warn against receiving unexpected cash on delivery shipments.
Postal workers are warning about a new method of extorting money from Poles. Cash-on-delivery (COD) shipments to random recipients are becoming increasingly common. The contents of the packages are low-value items. The amount requested to be collected from the recipient is many times higher than the cost of the item being shipped. Senders also include people of other nationalities.
A new fraud method involves sending items of negligible value, such as a plastic ring or a ball, while specifying a disproportionately high cash-on-delivery amount relative to the package's contents. Customers who choose to collect a parcel from an unknown sender risk spending anywhere from several dozen to even several hundred złoty. Poczta Polska (Polish Post) warns against accepting unexpected cash-on-delivery shipments. When a courier arrives with an unexpected cash-on-delivery package, it's worth asking who the sender is. If in doubt, customers have the right to refuse acceptance of the package. This new fraud method is linked to the growth of e-commerce. More and more customers are choosing to shop online, often choosing cash-on-delivery. A sender who sends a parcel with a low-value item and a high cash-on-delivery amount is hoping that the recipient will mistake the package for their own or a loved one's orders. Furthermore, recipients often act on impulse. When a courier unexpectedly arrives and a quick decision is needed, recipients decide to pay and accept the mystery package. For the vast majority of recipients, accepting such a package results in disappointment and an unjustified drain on their budget.
Please remember that anyone who accepts a cash-on-delivery shipment and feels cheated by its contents should report the incident to the police.