Last week, logistics company DHL India found itself in the thick of social media speculation, purportedly over a scam that many of its customers claimed was happening. The issue centered around its 'Not-at-Home' card, which allows package receivers to reschedule deliveries.
It all started on Dec. 17, when users on social media platform X said that there was a new scam taking place. Misinformation on the 'Not-at-Home card' did rounds, as users raised questions on the QR code on it. There were claims that the card was being left in letter boxes and doorsteps and warnings were issued not to use the QR code.
This is a new scam. They'll put in your letter box or at your door. Please don't scan — just throw it away. pic.twitter.com/FhHCopSdJP
Please do not fall for this #scam that's doing the rounds, it's not DHL nor An Post nor any other delivery service that leaves a note like this with a #QR code which will take you to a money-extracting 3rd party site @joeliveline @rteliveline #liveline pic.twitter.com/b0tLIOSr5n
@DHLExpressIndia this is new form of scam going around...beware ... They are using you pic.twitter.com/q4Ky22o6zg
However, DHL India took to its official handle to issue a clarification on the matter.
"Since yesterday, we have received a few queries regarding this Not-at-Home card. We would like to clarify that this card is legitimate," it said in a post.
[Advisory] Since yesterday, we have received a few queries regarding this Not-at-Home card. We would like to clarify that this card is legitimate. Kindly scroll through the carousel for more information.#dhl #dhlexpress #awareness #delivery pic.twitter.com/knZi16TvjO
The confusion and alarm comes as the number of scams and frauds done via QR codes and UPI rose last year. Last month, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary revealed that the number of frauds done via Unified Payments Interface jumped 85% to Rs 1,087 crore in fiscal 2024. This compares to Rs 573 crore in fiscal 2023.
The number of payment fraud incidents also nearly doubled from 7.25 lakh in fiscal 2023 to 13.4 lakh in the last fiscal. UPI frauds worth Rs 485 crore were recorded in the first half of the current fiscal, with 6.32 lakh incidents reported so far, the minister told parliament in his response to a question.
DHL reiterated that the 'Not-at-Home' card was not a scam, in a statement sent to NDTV Profit. "This is not a scam. At DHL, we strive to ensure your parcel reached safely and securely. This is a legitimate not-at-home card issued by DHL couriers at the recipients' address, to notify them of a missed delivery," it said.
It went on to explain how its 'Not-at-Home' card functions:
The scanned QR code should direct the user to the DHL on-demand delivery website (https://ondemand.dhl.com) to select the next preferred delivery option.
No personal information or money will be asked on this website.
The user should also verify it is a secure 'https' site.
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