New Straits Times

Five tips to spot COD scams

IN the expansive online shopping realm, numerous delivery companies provide an array of services, incorporat­ing cash-on-delivery (COD) options. While the adoption of this service is on the rise among Malaysian consumers, the ever-watchful eyes of opportunis­tic scammers seek to take advantage by impersonat­ing delivery service providers and delivering different items upon payment.

Especially during festive seasons, online shoppers are lured by exclusive deals and promotions offered by virtual stores. This period witnesses a surge in the demand for logistical assistance, as online retailers depend on delivery services to handle the influx of orders.

According to Ninja Van’s recent whitepaper, titled ‘What’s next for the future of e-commerce in Southeast Asia’, 29 per cent of the 1,504 surveyed shoppers in Malaysia identify as e-shopaholic­s.

This group contribute­s 50 per cent to the total e-commerce volume among the survey’s respondent­s across various categories, such as beauty and healthcare, electronic and fashion. The report emphasises that trends in online shopping also create opportunit­ies for a rise in fraudulent activities, including fake carrier services, undelivere­d goods and COD scams.

HERE ARE FIVE TIPS TO SPOT COD SCAMS: 1. Verify the sellers:

Before you make your purchase, always make sure that you are engaging with a legitimate seller and take the extra time to do thorough research on the website or company to verify its credibilit­y. It is important to take note of the seller’s contact informatio­n, physical address, reviews and history of their business.

The best way to determine whether it is a credible seller is by perusing through reviews and identifyin­g negative comments by real-life customers. But there are other ways to confirm that too.

Here’s how you can check a sites legitimacy:

Study the address bar and URL. If there are misspellin­gs in the address, no “s” in the https: and an ending that does not end with .com, you might want to recheck the website. There should not be more than one “.com”, “.org”, “.net” etc.

2. Identify the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL certificat­e)

Lock = Secure and select it to view, if its secure: Check for poor grammar and spelling errors. Credible websites rarely have such issues, especially on the home page.

Also, check the contact pages logo, design and branding on the front page. Review the company’s social media presence such as the number of followers and read through the content. Check for questionab­le links within the email.

3. Keep credible contact details

Always ensure that the sellers provide direct means to contact them such as their details, contact number and delivery tracker.

Legitimate sellers prioritise transparen­cy in sharing informatio­n to foster trust with their customers and assure them of their credibilit­y. If a seller is hesitant to provide these details, it is better to explore other options through official stores.

4. Check before cash

After completing the payment and receiving the parcel from the courier, it is advisable to inspect the contents. Take a moment to examine the parcel, noting any anomalies or irregulari­ties in the packaging, especially if it is excessivel­y wrapped and is difficult to open as it might be damaged.

Also, do not accept items that you have not purchased and keep a list of the items purchased for reference.

Alternativ­ely, if customers are concerned about COD scams and would like to pick up the items themselves, many delivery companies such as Ninja Van Malaysia offer a self-pickup service across Malaysia.

5. Double, triple check

Before making any payments, make sure the contact informatio­n, address and phone number are yours to ensure that the delivery is meant for you. In an instance where the package is not yours, make sure that the company’s return address is stated, as any discrepanc­ies would indicate fraudulent intent.

Check to also see that the package has been processed or stamped, this signifies that the parcel has undergone official handling and verificati­on, assuring customers that it has been scrutinise­d by the shipping or courier company.