The Office of Cybercrime of the Department of Justice (DOJ-OCC) has warned the public against the so-called delivery scam.
In its advisory, the DOJ-OOC said it has “received reports regarding the current modus operandi of perpetrators representing themselves as couriers, who target victims by delivering and demanding payment for parcels that were allegedly bought online.”
The DOJ-OCC said: “If you are not expecting delivery based thereon, refuse receiving and paying for the parcel being delivered. Advise members of your household to consult with you first before accepting parcels that are allegedly for you.”
It then advised the public how they can avoid the delivery scam.
It said:
“Properly dispose pouches and/or boxes of the parcels containing your personal information. Parcels containing personal and sensitive information should be shredded in a crosscut, diamond-cut or confetti-cut manner.
“As an alternative, the information on these pouches and/or boxes may also be retracted by covering the same using pens or markers with dark permanent ink.”
At the same time, it said that individuals should also look at their “account with the official online selling platform to check existing orders for delivery.”
It also reminded the public not to share personal information online, especially when the online account is not set in private.
It warned that those engaged in the delivery scam to stop their illegal activities.
“Perpetrators engaged in such unlawful actions may be held liable either for violation of Section 25 of Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012, under the offense ‘Unauthorized Processing of Personal Information and Sensitive Personal Information’ or for Estafa under the Revised Penal Code,” it stressed.