Couriers are doing their best, but fraudsters are waiting for their chance. The parcel rush is in full swing

The pre-Christmas period is a frenzy of parcel deliveries. The streets are bustling with couriers, parcel machines are bursting at the seams, and the largest companies in the shipping industry are looking for additional employees. According to data from Rzeczpospolita, based on research by ARC Rynek and the payment operator PayU, as many as 75% of Poles now shop online, 8% of whom were convinced to do so during the pandemic. Although the virus has caused a lot of social damage, it has also contributed to the dynamic growth of e-commerce.

Who among us has not encountered a lack of parking spaces, crowded shops or traffic jams when leaving large shopping centres? That is why more and more Poles are avoiding crowded shopping centres and choosing to buy items online. As many as 68% of respondents indicate that the main motivation for buying online is to save time, and 66% appreciate the availability of products at any time of the day or night.

However, online shopping, like traditional shopping, is not without its drawbacks. There are some concerns about the security of online transactions, as fraudsters are devising increasingly bold methods of stealing funds. In this case, it is worth following police reports, which explain in detail the activities of criminals.

During the peak parcel season, delivery delays are very common. The blame lies with both retailers and overburdened courier companies, but also with customers who order gifts at the last minute.

Parcel peak

A parcel peak is a significant increase in the number of parcels sent during a specific period compared to the average number of parcels sent during the rest of the year. We can talk about a parcel peak before Christmas and the end of the year, when there is an increase in demand for various goods. It is caused by online Christmas gift shopping and increased trade between companies related to the end of the year.

Customers have a significant influence on when their parcels arrive. Most orders are placed in the last two weeks before Christmas (up to 80%). Therefore, it is best to plan your purchases in November and limit last-minute shopping. After 19 December, the chance of delivery before Christmas Eve gradually decreases.

Probably no one would want to be disappointed by not receiving even a small gift for their loved ones on this important day. When buying, check the order delivery time and make sure that the product is in stock at the seller’s warehouse. It is worth keeping track of the order status and shipment route: every major company offers this option because customers like to know what is happening with their parcel at any given moment.

Winter weather can also thwart the courier’s plans. Ice on the road, freezing rain or heavy snowfall make it virtually impossible for the delivery driver to drive fast and arrive on time.

 

Preparations by CEP operators

The CEP industry includes courier, express, parcel and postal services. The acronym can be translated in two ways: from German Kurier, Express, Pakietdientse (courier, express and parcel services) or from English Courier, Express, Postal Services (courier, express and postal services).

The second interpretation has a much broader scope, as it includes postal services. However, both definitions can be used interchangeably, as individual courier services have been overlapping for many years. The biggest differences are the additional options available exclusively for courier shipments, such as shipment tracking, the ability to specify a specific date and time of delivery, and a door-to-door guarantee system, where faulty equipment can be claimed without leaving home.

What do preparations for the parcel peak season look like in the CEP industry? In large companies, preparations begin several months in advance with the creation and implementation of appropriate procedures. Companies then allocate additional funds to hire new operational staff, modernise equipment, buildings and transport fleets, and increase other company resources.

All these measures are designed to help maximise profits at the end of the year and streamline shipping processes. Thanks to these changes, customers can flexibly adjust the time and place of delivery and wait for the courier in the evenings or even on weekends.

 

Safe shopping

Among some shoppers, especially those who use the internet less frequently, online shopping still raises considerable concerns in terms of security. And rightly so, because the internet is teeming with fraudsters. You should be cautious, avoid clicking on suspicious links and refrain from visiting unknown websites.

One of the most popular methods of online theft is phishing, which involves impersonating a person or institution in order to obtain information, persuade someone to take certain actions or infect their computer. Other methods include the Nigerian scam, which has been used since the 16th century with letters. It involves thieves sending emails claiming that they are in a difficult situation and need help. It is also worth being wary of suspicious purchase/sale offers on auction sites and under no circumstances transferring money outside of official payment methods.

Most often, however, in e-commerce, fraudsters use text messages and emails to obtain information and induce additional actions, such as clicking on a link to pay a small additional amount for delivery. After the payment is made in a special application, the criminals gain control over the device and access to the victim’s personal data and banking application. However, this is only one of several options for depriving us of our funds, and the range of possibilities available to fraudsters is growing wider every year.

 

How to effectively protect yourself against fraudsters?

It is best to buy from places that have been previously verified by us, our relatives or friends. Alternatively, you can use the websites of well-known brands that advertise on television or sponsor global events.

If you do not know a particular seller but really want to buy a product from their range, you can read reviews or call their helpline directly.

It is also worth watching out for fake couriers who deliberately impersonate certain companies by modifying the name or logo of a recognisable brand. If you have any doubts about the courier’s honesty, you can refrain from signing the confirmation of receipt, read all the documents carefully and check the product you have ordered.