If you’ve noticed more couriers pulling up outside your house recently, you’re not alone. Between seasonal shopping and online bargains, parcel deliveries are at an all-time high across the UK. But alongside legitimate posties and drivers, a sneaky new doorstep scam has been making the rounds.
How the Scam Works
It starts off looking completely normal. A delivery driver arrives with a package you’ve been expecting, scans it, and asks to take a photo of it on your doorstep or in your hallway as proof of delivery (POD).
However, as soon as the photo is taken, the driver claims there’s a glitch: "Sorry, mate, the system’s gone down," or "This hasn't cleared payment proper, I'll have to take it back to the depot." They scoop up the parcel and drive off.
The sting comes later: you get an automated email from the retailer stating your order has been successfully delivered—complete with the photo of the box right in your doorway. When you contact customer support to explain that the package was taken back, the retailer points to the photographic proof. Because the driver has 'evidence' it was delivered, claims are rejected, and the buyer is left out of pocket while the culprit keeps the goods.
How to Stay Safe at the Door
Keep your hands on the parcel: Don't let anyone photograph or scan a package until it is safely inside and staying with you.
Know the rules: If a handheld terminal loses signal or crashes, standard procedure is to log a failed attempt or retry later—not to photograph a package and take it back.
Report suspicious behavior immediately: If a driver attempts this trick, note down the vehicle registration, company logo, and time, then contact both the retailer and the courier company straight away.
