Do you know who you're really dealing with on the internet? That's a fair question because identity theft fraud is on the rise!
Several hundred reports a month of trade credit fraud are currently registered with the Berlin police alone. Martin Halweg from the Berlin State Criminal Police Office confirmed the increase in cases to rbb and explained that this fraud is difficult to solve. The perpetrators have an easy time getting access to real addresses and personal data - by stealing data on the Internet or by searching through garbage cans.
“We often notice that perpetrators tamper with waste paper and take out old letters, copy down the personal data there and use it.”
The fraudsters then order goods on account on the Internet under a false name. To confirm, please enter a specially created email address. The shipment tracking is also sent to them so that the perpetrators know exactly when the delivery will reach the recipient. The delivery man is intercepted at the front door before he rings the bell. The perpetrators pose as tenants of the house and even show their cell phones with the email history of the ordering process in order to gain the parcel delivery person's trust.
The scam becomes possible if parcel carriers do not take the time to request proof of identity with every delivery. DHL explained to rbb:
“If the goods are handed over on the street, the recipient must provide identification. (…) But it is also true that we deliver several million parcels every day – unfortunately mistakes do happen.”
Those affected should not pay the bills and immediately report it to the police and provide the provider with the file number on the Internet. If debt collection demands arise, the injured parties should object to them.
The consumer magazine “SUPER.MARKT” describes the fate of a Berlin pensioner who has never ordered anything online. She receives bills of over four thousand euros for orders that her husband allegedly placed. But he has been dead for more than 20 years. She is now also confronted with debt collection demands.
More information at consumer magazine SUPER.MARKT .
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Source: rbb – Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg
Article image: Preechar Bowonkitwanchai / Shutterstock
Notes:
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