Parcel Scam

[Barmaid]

My parents received a parcel (delivered by Royal Mail but not signed for) in someone else's name at their address.

This has concerned me since a) they have lived at their address for several decades and the named person never has and b) the name of the property appears on the parcel. Now the Post Office data bases and all derivatives of do not include the house name.

I have suggested that they a) check any online companies and change all passwords b) do not give the parcel to anyone who might call for it and c) stick in back in the post as "not known at this address".

Anything else we might do? What would be the point of this scam. It cannot be a mistake since, as I say, the house name does not appear on any databases.

[Tuvok]

Is there a return address/senders details on it?

Perhaps speak to the Posty and see what he/she says.

[Tuvok]

The house name might be on the electoral role.

[Barmaid]

There are no clues on the parcel (I've seen a picture).

The house name does not appear on the electoral roll.

[woofgang]

No idea BM but this happened to us quite a few years ago now. My husband opened the parcel very carefully and it was various vitamins and othe capsules. At the time he worked for a company who were extremely strict with their drugs policy and (yes I know this sounds extreme) but he thought it was an attempt to get him into trouble. He took the parcel to the police (ah the dear dead days of local stations) and we never heard any more about it.
Anyway a thought. Which electoral roll are they on and does the house name appear there? Also have you tried googling the name of the recipient, both alone and coupled with the house name?

[Barsel]

Have they opened it?

[Davemano]

Open the parcel

[Apc2604]

Do your parents use their house name on any communications they make?

[Apc2604]

I must admit I would open the parcel.

[calmck]

Open the parcel, taking pictures see if there is an invoice and then re wrap and return to post office

[Barsel]

It could be someone who lives nearby who has used your parents address with their name. It could contain something illegal and they may call round for it. It's good you have told your parents not to give the parcel to anyone. If someone does call round for it, your parents should say the police or the post office have it.

[Barmaid]

My brother is going to open it tomorrow.

It is by pure accident that the house name doesnt appear on databases. It just got omitted years ago and a number inserted instead - despite the fact the house has been known by that name for several centuries.

It's all very odd.

[Buenchico]

'Brushing'?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-54055669

[Barsel]

Does it have the house name on the actual house?

[Peter Pedant]

I would open it and say to anyone if challenged
I thought I was being defrauded

did happen to us - three accounts at Littlewoods opened in my name but with other details wrong
and we thought - - - someone might hide in the bushes and say
"o yeah I will take it if you wamt"

oh and yeah it was an attempt to defraud us

[Jonathan-Joe]

Is this like the unexpected parcel scam https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5675332/unexpected-parcel-scam

[wiltsman]

This article may throw some light on unsolicited parcels:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-54055669

[Barmaid]

Sorry been out looking for the cat and inadvertently ended up coming across some lampers.

The house is quite well known locally and it does have a sign up.

I'll see what my brother says in the morning. It's certainly not a neighbour since they know everyone!

[rockyracoon]

I had a parcel sent to my house a few weeks ago that was addressed to some else. I didn't open it as the company name was on a sticky label on the front. I called them and they were most unhelpful about arranging return, so the thing, whatever it is, is still sitting in the cupboard. If there was no company info on it, I'd have definitely have opened it to see if there was an invoice inside.

[bednobs]

still not got a tracker bm?

[allenlondon]

Did you find your cat? They can be a terrible worry.