DHL scam between private individuals: don't fall for it!

DHL is a well-known and recognised player in the delivery industry. And that's a fact. The only problem is that scammers on Leboncoin, Facebook, ParuVendu and other classified ad sites are hijacking the brand to set up payment scams. Numerous online testimonials attest to this scam, which is causing real damage and which it is important to be aware of in order to avoid it.

Find out how to protect yourself in 3 minutes by watching our video on the DHL scam:

Want to find out more? Read the full article below

It's a fact: the only payments DHL asks for are those relating to transport costs! It's just that the brand's notoriety leads a number of Internet users to let their guard down when DHL is suggested, which is quite similar to thePayPal scam. This is a mistake. DHL is exclusively a transport company, and is not and never has been a money-receiving organisation. And let's be clear: if you notify DHL of fraudulent use of their brand, this will have no impact on any refund or assistance. However, it is advisable to report them to DHL customer services so that the company can set up operations to protect against and disable scams.

One approach: the deliveryman gives cash in exchange for the object.

Another approach is for the swindler to tell his victim that the money will be given to him in cash directly in an envelope by the DHL courier in exchange for the parcel. DHL is not a cash courier! Then the scam can begin, and the swindler will invent taxes, activation fees and other pretexts to rob his victim.

The mandate deposit scam

This scam is widespread and causes enormous damage. Here is an example of an e-mail that victims may receive:

This email mentions insurance fees that need to be paid in order to unblock the transfer of a money order received by post. The victim is invited to go to a (fraudulent) website and enter the number of a Neosurf top-up, for example, or another PCS top-up... This is a scam, of course. As we explain in this article, this method of payment is very popular with scammers and is not at all suitable for transactions between private individuals, and should be avoided altogether! The technique is based on a simple argument: the funds are supposedly blocked until the insurance has been settled. The parcel or letter is then awaiting dispatch. The victim will then pay the insurance costs in the hope of being able to finalise the transaction... which will never happen.

The page may also ask you for your payment details, such as your login details for a PCS platform, allowing fraudsters to make payments with complete peace of mind. It's important to remember: DHL does not store money!

The activation fee scam

Some scammers go even further by inventing activation fees, which they claim trigger delivery. Here again the scammers will ask for top-ups, even trying to reassure their victims that these funds are only intended to activate their account and that they will be able to get their money back after the operation.

This is, of course, a scam designed to get you to send PCS top-up codes to the crooks, which they can then cash in anonymously. The victim, on the other hand, will have no way of being reimbursed. This scam is rife on all sites selling ads between private individuals, from Leboncoin to Facebook, via ParuVendu or Viva street... In short, all sites selling and buying between private individuals.

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Theft of personal information

This technique consists of sending you a fake invoice for an imaginary order and stealing your personal and bank details. Here is an example:

Beware: scammers can "mix" scam methods

There are no rules when it comes to scams, and the different techniques mentioned in this article can vary, be mixed and matched, and certain stages can be skipped... Scammers are unpredictable.

Endless possibilities for scams

The only limit is that of the crooks. Fake SMS banking simulations, fake switchboards, fake phone calls... They use a wide range of strategies to carry out their scams and obtain information and payments fraudulently. Don't take any ill-considered risks, and don't simply rely on the name of a familiar brand.

You risk falling into a spiral of costs and fees that will end up costing you a lot of money in the end, without you receiving any payment or any goods. As soon as the first bogus charges are paid, victims tend to continue paying the sums demanded by the scammers for fear of losing everything. The only problem is that scammers are perfectly aware of this type of reaction and take full advantage of it.

Opt for Obvy, the secure payment method between private individuals designed for this type of transaction

In the jungle of unsuitable payment methods and scams for transactions between private individuals, Obvy is a payment service specially designed for buying and selling on classified ad sites. In addition to a host of innovative features, this payment method offers sellers and buyers optimum protection and security for all their transactions, whether in person or by delivery. Obvy secures the money in a tamper-proof digital safe while the buyer and seller complete their transaction and declare their satisfaction.

And in the event of a problem, both buyer and seller have options for resolving the dispute amicably, without either party suffering loss.