Unordered Phone.

[sapelesam]

Signed for a parcel at the door this morning, addressed to me, no return address and no paperwork. I don't even know who the courier was, didn't see a vehicle. Thought my wife had used my eBay or Amazon account, no to that as well. Opened it, brand new Samsung Galaxy S8 mobile. I can obviously get the IMEI number but wouldn't know how to trace sender/owner. Do I just wait and see if somebody contacts me?

[Old_Geezer]

Can't see what alternative you have.

[albaqwerty]

you didn't enter a competition did you?

[Bazile]

Very curious , if it's got your name and your address .

Perhaps someone has sent you an early xmas prezzy

Is your name a common surname ?

[sapelesam]

Not that I know of Alba, might try Samsung and see if they can trace through the IMEI. Tried a SIM card, it's unlocked, hope nobody claims it.

[sapelesam]

Not that common Bazile, and our house has a name and no number. The address was perfect.

[sapelesam]

Just checked, Carphone Warehouse have Galaxy S8 SIM free, £669.
Never had a Christmas present that expensive.

[emeritus]

Ive read about a scam similar to this. A Courier will arrive to collect the phone then you will be chased for payment as its to your address and you signed for it. Something along those lines. Ill try and find it

[albaqwerty]

ooh, Emeritus, that's just nasty.

Sam, if that happens, tell them your neighbour from a few streets away came and collected it, and forgot to tell you that you were their delivery address if they were out.

[jno]

signing to show you're received something doesn't prove ownership, so just hang on to it for a while and hand it back if scammers get in touch.

[sapelesam]

Thanks Emeritus, I'll bear that in mind. Good luck to them proving the squiggle on their PDA was mine. I've rung local police and reported it as lost/found property. The have the report and gave me a ref.number. They told me to keep it for six months.

[emeritus]

Just as a precaution check your credit card / debit card with the bank as it wont show up immediately. Just to be sure it wasnt bought on your card. before the scammer comes to collect it. If indeed it is a scam

[Prudie]

You'll be due an upgrade by then :-)

[jackthehat]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/money-saving-tips/jessicainvestigates/10385330/Mobile-phone-delivery-scam-on-the-rise.html

[emeritus]

Thanks Jack that's the one

[sapelesam]

Thanks jackthehat, and everybody for the advice. Police just rang and apologised, apparently I can keep it after six weeks not six months.

[jackthehat]

You ought to investigate and see if the 'phone is in your name. You may have a 'free phone' but there could also be an account in your name somewhere.......so it's not exactly 'free'.

[sapelesam]

As it's sim free I don't see how there could be a contract in my name. I do however keep a close check on my bank accounts, anything dodgy will be spotted PDQ.

[jackthehat]

Sounds as if you are on top of it all, sapelesam. :o)

Keeps us informed if anything 'interesting' happens....

[Guilbert53]

Be wary of anyone who comes to collect the phone saying it was delivered in error.

It is very unlikely that the person who comes to collect the phone will be the company that delivered it, more likely a scammer.

You may find that a phone contract has been taken out in YOUR name, but if you give this phone to the person who comes to your door (the scammer) you will have NO phone to return and may find you have been signed up to a 2 year contract costing you £40 or £50 a month.

See if you can find out from on any paperwork IN the box or marking ON the box who this may have come from (perhaps an online mobile phone company) and get on to them urgently.

Remember if you have falsely had a phone contract taken out in your name it could affect your credit rating all all sorts of other issues.

Sadly rather than a Christmas present this could be the beginning of a worrying time for you.

For example if someone DOES come to collect the phone how will you know if they are a genuine person from the delivery company or phone company or a scammer?

Whoever comes to the door say you have already sent it back.

[sapelesam]

Don't worry Guilbert, my fingers on the pulse. Pulse may be a bit thready but the finger is definately on it.