Why does this scare me?

[MyOtherCarIsAPorsche]

I've just had five grey plastic packages, flat like envelopes, delivered. All similar size - about seven inches square. They all contain a couple of pages torn from catalogues, books, magazines - like someone's waste paper.

whats going on?

Can Evri track who sent them? Would they provide that info to you? I think the scam is someone having proof they've despatched something, rather than you being directly conned.

It definitely sounds like some sort of scam. Did the evri driver take a proof of delivery photo.

It’s probably some sort of scam. Here’s what Chat GPT says it could be:

1. Brushing scam (identity harvesting / fake reviews):

• A company may have bought your name and address details and is sending worthless items (sometimes literally just paper, sometimes cheap trinkets) to create a “proof of delivery” trail.
• They then use your name/address to post fake positive reviews online (because they can show a delivery happened).
• Usually, you don’t get charged, but your personal info is being misused.

1. Money laundering via returns/refunds:

• Fraudsters might order something expensive using stolen card details, then return something worthless (like paper) in its place, but route the return parcels through random addresses like yours.
• That way, if the company investigates, they see “a parcel was delivered” to someone.

1. Testing stolen details (“probing”):

• Scammers sometimes send low-value items to see if a name/address is active before moving on to more valuable or fraudulent deliveries.
• If you confirm receipt or contact the courier, it shows the address is “live.”

1. Wrongly labelled contraband / smuggling decoys:

• Rare, but sometimes fraudsters send meaningless parcels to various addresses to muddy tracking systems, so the “real” parcel slips through unnoticed.

What to do:

• Don’t pay anything (no customs, no courier “fees” later).
• Don’t scan any QR codes or follow any instructions inside, if there are slips of paper with codes or links.
• Check your bank/credit cards just in case your details are being used.
• Report to Royal Mail / courier + Action Fraud (UK) if you suspect brushing or ID fraud.
• Keep one parcel as evidence in case authorities want it, but you don’t need to store them all.

That made me chuckle, all those idiots sending chocolate and perfume when they could have sent a page ripped from a catalogue 😂

The time and expense that must take for a positive review.

I only read the bad reviews!

Young nieces or nephews playing postie?

Or folk in the warehouse having a laugh ?
Checking delivery times or driver/delivery person is working properly ?

I love MN theories

I think it sounds like a brushing scam - I've had something similar. Try not to worry, OP.

Yeah, I've received a small assortment of phone cases, felt pens, other bits & bobs and an electronic air pump (?!) over the years. I have wondered why they bother sending a real thing - though most of those items aren't worth more than a few torn-up magazine pages anyway!

I put the 'gifts' in my charity donations, in hopes they'll at least earn a few pence.

so strange.

I would log it with the police online. They won’t do anything but I think it’s worth reporting and having on file. I would also keep them all together and hang on to them for a while in case anything else happens.

Blimey.

I hardly get things I've paid for!

It is odd. It would sit uneasy with me too @MyOtherCarIsAPorsche

Someone thought this was a daft "Mumsnet theory", but based on the variety of content (e.g. not just junk mail like a Wickes leaflet, but also something out of a Sunday Times supplement), I'd also be inclined to consider this! It does sound like the sort of stuff that could have escaped from the top of recycling on a windy day...

Nip screw means tight / a tight wad. Hadn’t heard that for a long time

Oh, this was a thing a couple of years ago on social media - teens / 20 somethings sending a gushing familiar christmas card to an unsuspecting person (usually mum) and then secretly filming her trying to recall who it was. Some were quite funny tbf.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-3oua1SgXEA

Definitely report to the police on-line
I wouldn't touch the paper/envelopes, I agree with your daughter (not because of anthrax specifically)
If there's any QR codes, don't do anything with them
Keep everything in a sealed bag

I'd say you've definitely upset someone who is a bit odd 🤡

Edit - I've just re read my post. Sorry, I sound overly dramatic. I just think that the person who sent them to you is a bit kooky (not dangerous) just odd

Do you remember the world wide Panick a few years ago when people where receiving seeds in the mail? turns out this was a gimmick by shop owners so they can leave great reviews for there business in your name, prolly what this is,
if they keep coming contact the police next time

Tell local Police. They could be related to drug drops.

How on earth is it related to drug dops?

Could be sending you this to say you've bought something but it's all part of a fake reviews scheme. Someone's got your name and address (like off the M&S breach) used it so it's recorded as a sale and so can give a verified "5*. Just as described would recommend." review. Done on Amazon all the time.

Are all the barcodes on the 5 different envelopes different?

Firstly you should be able to go on the evri app and track the parcels and see where they started from.

But, @MyOtherCarIsAPorsche do you have any elderly relatives who may have dementia or at an age where they could be starting with it?

Agree with the above posts - it’s some sort of phishing scam. Nothing too sinister. Make an online police report and don’t waste any more time thinking about it.

It seems excessive for a scammer to pay 5 lots of postage for this. Can you see if the barcodes are distinct from each other?
We get duplicate barcodes through the system all the time, and the courier can claim for any extras (although a tiny amount, so probs not worth their time). Hence curious as to whether they are distinct.

😂

Really? So often has this happened to you? 5 separate anonymous envelopes with magazine cuttings delivered to your address. It may be nothing sinister but it’s pretty damn weird!

Actually just realised, I don't think there is a cap on claiming for extra payment for duplicate barcodes. I was thinking of the payments for underdeclared size/weight. Duplicates (that are less common, but not rare), can attract a payment to the courier of a quid each, and aren't usually disputed.

Can't imagine a courier would go to this trouble though!