Ninja Van gives tips in avoiding fraudulent deliveries

Tech-enabled logistics provider Ninja Van Philippines on Friday launched an information drive to protect the public against fraudulent cash-on-delivery (COD) parcels.

In a statement, Ninja Van said it recorded over 200 reports of such incidents in the past six months.

“We urge the public to be extra prudent in receiving parcels when they are not expecting anything, especially if there is payment involved. As a logistics provider, our riders only depend on the data provided on every parcel and would only collect money if the parcel states so,” said Ninja Van Philippines country head Martin Cu.

Ninja Van said the modus is “pretty straightforward,” as an unscrupulous shipper sends out parcels to random unsuspecting individuals under the cash-on-delivery mode of payment.

Unsuspecting recipients, thinking it might have been one of their orders online, would pay for the amount stated in the parcel only to find out that it is not something they were expecting, or worse, they didn’t order it at all, the logistics provider said.

To avoid being a victim of fraudulent parcel deliveries, Ninja Van gave the following tips:

• Check the label. Make sure that the parcel is addressed to you or someone who lives in the same household.
• Check your online purchases. If you are certain that you did not make any purchase, kindly refuse accepting the parcel. It will not be a cost on the delivery rider.
• Check the amount. If you are considering paying for the parcel, check the amount stated on the tag and if it actually states COD.
• Check the parcel. Every time you receive a parcel, make sure that it is properly sealed and there are no signs of tampering.
• Check the credibility of sellers. Place orders only with credible websites and sellers that have positive authentic reviews or from whom you have successfully transacted with in the past.

Ninja Van said it will be utilizing its assets on social media to spread awareness on how the public could avoid falling prey to fraudulent delivery schemes.

Should a customer mistakenly accepted and paid for a parcel, the logistics provider recommended the immediate filing of a complaint through its customer service numbers or email addresses.

The process can take up to 11 working days as certain steps have to be undertaken to ensure the validity of claims and protect orders from legitimate businesses, it said.

“Whenever a shipper is flagged, either for sending the wrong items or suspected fraudulent COD deliveries, they are immediately flagged in our system. We constantly monitor and conduct investigations on erring shippers to ensure that we are not being used for fraudulent activities,” Cu said.

But in the instance that a shipper is found to have engaged in fraudulent activities, the company said it discontinues providing service, cash collected under the cash-on-delivery mechanism is withheld, and refunds are issued to affected customers. 

Further, the logistics provider said that it has stepped up its requirements and background check on its shippers both here and abroad.

Ninja Van urged the public to be extra prudent in receiving unexpected parcels, especially those that require payment.

“Persons who might have been victimized by the said scheme can reach out to the Ninja Van customer service team for assistance via email, support_ph@ninjavan.co, or through phone at (02) 82711501,” it said. —LBG, GMA News