Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Why does this scare me?

127 replies

MyOtherCarIsAPorsche · 27/09/2025 11:36

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?

OP posts:
RunningJo · 28/09/2025 08:06

Some weird type scam (that makes little sense) as others have said, likely for fake reviews.

We had some high value good delivered to us, the company had their name on the box. Contacted them and someone was using our address to send these to. I asked how they benefitted when we ended up with the goods unpaid for by us.
Apparently these people manage to open a credit account using our details (all they needed was name address and DOB - all of which was found on companies house website).
They then hope to intercept the goods before we get them, ie by intercepting the couriers as they pull up outside, telling them they live here.
The company arranged collection of the items, and stopped a new iPhone being dispatched!
I was on full alert for a few days everytime a car parked near by!.

Someone also ordered lots of things from John Lewis, they contacted us as our address was miles away from the branch they said they’d collect from. JL flagged this as unusual and cancelled it all. I asked why they didn’t speak to the police and get the person who collected the items, arrested. They said because it will be some kid on a bike, who has been given £50 to collect. It won’t be anyone ‘big’ involved in this. Apparently quite common

I reported all of it to action fraud, and we paid £30 ish I think to join a register so that if anyone applies for credit in our names additional checks were done.
I would report this, may be nothing but worth flagging it. It does put you on edge for a bit, because it’s weird and then you wonder what’s next, and why you, but it’s most likely not personal, just someone using your address rather than targeting you personally for some odd reason. Worth looking at the register I mentioned, I think it was suggested by action fraud at the time so the details may be on their website.

lizziebuck · 28/09/2025 08:12

Would Evri not have record of who sent it?

Clawdy · 28/09/2025 08:18

Truly bizarre, and disturbing. Not sure police would be interested though.

lightand · 28/09/2025 08:20

Are you 100% sure they are from Evri[I know nothing about them].

I know someone who is having weird things left.at her front door.
They are from the lady next door who is trying to be nice and just drops things there.
She has dementia/alzhiemers.

FaitesVosJeux · 28/09/2025 08:22

user1492757084 · 28/09/2025 07:02

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

Yes! Go at once to the local police station and tell them this. They will send out search dogs, crack investigation teams and next thing you know you're on a TV documentary about smashing the biggest cocaine network ever known to humanity. Please do this and let us know how you get on.

Sgcloset · 28/09/2025 08:59

You’re not the same person who started another thread about mysterious things happening to them, are you?

XWKD · 28/09/2025 09:07

It's probably used to create a tracking number. Scammers sometimes do this. They send something to a nearby address. That means they have proof of delivery. Sometimes online tracking won't let you see the actual address, only the general area, so sending crap to someone nearby is enough "proof of delivery". At least that was the case when I made an eBay claim a couple of years ago.

It's nothing for you to worry about, and can't have any consequences for you.

OldWave · 28/09/2025 09:09

My guess is that it has something to do with the delivery company. Perhaps they test their sorting machines with a few envelopes with random bits of paper. Perhaps they forgot to reset something or take them out, and they got sent to you somehow.
It reminds me how people occasionally find a slice of bread with a number on it as a factory test.
I think I'd be paranoid for a while and then forget about it!

PlayingDevilsAdvocateisinteresting · 28/09/2025 09:10

Hi @MyOtherCarIsAPorsche, I really hope it isn't a scam as I think most of us have enough rubbish going on in our lives at the moment, and I'm sure that you would rather not be giving this headspace.

But I also don't think it is anyone trying to threaten or harm you, because I watch a lot of dramas, and in them the pieces of paper would be cut out letters or words! Yes, I get a lot of my information about how criminals and the police behave from my years of watching dramas and reading psychological thrillers 😂

If I were you I would be a little bit worried as I have a some what anxious mind, and an overactive imagination. However, I have a very boring suggestion about what could have happened in reality, so here goes, and maybe tighten your safety belt as it might be a slightly bumpy ride!

Have you ever mentioned to a family member, a friend, or a work colleague, etc. that your home needs quite a bit of DIY doing to it, and that you would also like to 'freshen' it up a bit? Because some one - maybe an older biddy like me - might think "ooh I've got quite a selection of magazines that have DIY sections, or home improvement articles in them" (as I like to dream about having an Ideal Home, or buying an old cottage that needs renovating, or even building a Grand Designs type of property), "so I wonder if xx would like to have a look at them"?

So, if say your DM was kind enough to visit me sometimes, and she mentioned you were frustrated with your home at the moment, I could quite easily decide to look through my magazines, and the DIY type shop leaflets that keep on coming through my door, and that I subsequently keep on hoarding, and then cut out bits from the magazines that I think might be of interest to you, and add in some of those leaflets from stores that I think might also be of interest to you.

Then when I thought I had gathered enough, I could maybe put them in a bag to send to you (I might have bought quite a few of the posting bags from Temu, as I often send my friends and family odd little things - that I probably thought looked cute or useful on Temu, but which, in the end I never used, and I ran out of space on my shelves for any new ornaments etc. ages ago...).

Being me, I could have easily forgotten about the bag of cuttings I had ready to post to you - sorry! - therefore when I next came upon it, I might have realised that I probably had some new articles, or adverts, or leaflets that you might also find of interest. That could happen another 3 times (at a very big pinch 😉); or maybe I only had those smallish posting bags from temu, and I had gathered so much stuff together for you - in just six hours - that I had to use 5 of the bags (from Temu) to put everything I had collected for you, into them 😳 🤗

Therefore, I ended up sending all 5 of them to you, but unfortunately I was so caught up in my endeavour (I always think of Morse whenever I write or hear that word) that I forgot to put a covering note in with them - I did once (honestly), in real life, forget to sign all the Christmas cards I had sent to my friends, so that last bit isn't as far fetched as it sounds!

I am probably getting ever more senile, or my Parkinsons - yes, I really do have Parkinsons - is playing games with my head again 🙈 I know that my suggestion might be pushing the cause of realism a little bit too far, but please do think OP about whether you could have ever mentioned to anyone about having an interest in at least some of the things in your mysterious bags? 😜😜😜

Ps. I truly hope that you get to the bottom of this mystery very soon, and that it is nothing for you to worry about 🙏💐

deadpan · 28/09/2025 09:17

XWKD · 28/09/2025 09:07

It's probably used to create a tracking number. Scammers sometimes do this. They send something to a nearby address. That means they have proof of delivery. Sometimes online tracking won't let you see the actual address, only the general area, so sending crap to someone nearby is enough "proof of delivery". At least that was the case when I made an eBay claim a couple of years ago.

It's nothing for you to worry about, and can't have any consequences for you.

Shifty little feckers aren't they. I suppose I should say clever but I don't want to equate that word to what they do.

Mumzoo5070 · 28/09/2025 09:25

I had an elastic band sent to me. Possibly brushing scam.

Sassylovesbooks · 28/09/2025 09:49

I'd report to Action Fraud, because at the very least someone has your name/address. I suspect the 'brushing' scam is more likely. I would also check your bank accounts etc and change any online passwords. Your personal details are being misused. It's not someone playing a prank or deliberately trying to frighten you. It's a scam.

smallglassbottle · 28/09/2025 09:59

It's money laundering. They're raising false invoices by making out they've sent you a real product.

pontipinemum · 28/09/2025 10:03

I'd find it very weird too

GlomOfNit · 28/09/2025 10:11

PlayingDevilsAdvocateisinteresting · 28/09/2025 09:10

Hi @MyOtherCarIsAPorsche, I really hope it isn't a scam as I think most of us have enough rubbish going on in our lives at the moment, and I'm sure that you would rather not be giving this headspace.

But I also don't think it is anyone trying to threaten or harm you, because I watch a lot of dramas, and in them the pieces of paper would be cut out letters or words! Yes, I get a lot of my information about how criminals and the police behave from my years of watching dramas and reading psychological thrillers 😂

If I were you I would be a little bit worried as I have a some what anxious mind, and an overactive imagination. However, I have a very boring suggestion about what could have happened in reality, so here goes, and maybe tighten your safety belt as it might be a slightly bumpy ride!

Have you ever mentioned to a family member, a friend, or a work colleague, etc. that your home needs quite a bit of DIY doing to it, and that you would also like to 'freshen' it up a bit? Because some one - maybe an older biddy like me - might think "ooh I've got quite a selection of magazines that have DIY sections, or home improvement articles in them" (as I like to dream about having an Ideal Home, or buying an old cottage that needs renovating, or even building a Grand Designs type of property), "so I wonder if xx would like to have a look at them"?

So, if say your DM was kind enough to visit me sometimes, and she mentioned you were frustrated with your home at the moment, I could quite easily decide to look through my magazines, and the DIY type shop leaflets that keep on coming through my door, and that I subsequently keep on hoarding, and then cut out bits from the magazines that I think might be of interest to you, and add in some of those leaflets from stores that I think might also be of interest to you.

Then when I thought I had gathered enough, I could maybe put them in a bag to send to you (I might have bought quite a few of the posting bags from Temu, as I often send my friends and family odd little things - that I probably thought looked cute or useful on Temu, but which, in the end I never used, and I ran out of space on my shelves for any new ornaments etc. ages ago...).

Being me, I could have easily forgotten about the bag of cuttings I had ready to post to you - sorry! - therefore when I next came upon it, I might have realised that I probably had some new articles, or adverts, or leaflets that you might also find of interest. That could happen another 3 times (at a very big pinch 😉); or maybe I only had those smallish posting bags from temu, and I had gathered so much stuff together for you - in just six hours - that I had to use 5 of the bags (from Temu) to put everything I had collected for you, into them 😳 🤗

Therefore, I ended up sending all 5 of them to you, but unfortunately I was so caught up in my endeavour (I always think of Morse whenever I write or hear that word) that I forgot to put a covering note in with them - I did once (honestly), in real life, forget to sign all the Christmas cards I had sent to my friends, so that last bit isn't as far fetched as it sounds!

I am probably getting ever more senile, or my Parkinsons - yes, I really do have Parkinsons - is playing games with my head again 🙈 I know that my suggestion might be pushing the cause of realism a little bit too far, but please do think OP about whether you could have ever mentioned to anyone about having an interest in at least some of the things in your mysterious bags? 😜😜😜

Ps. I truly hope that you get to the bottom of this mystery very soon, and that it is nothing for you to worry about 🙏💐

This is a lovely and very carefully thought out example of how sometimes, the most simple explanation is the most obvious! Grin

Look, so many other posters have commented about brushing scams or scams that have identity fraud at their core, whether trying to get fake reviews, or con some other poor sod into believing that what they'd paid for has proof of postage and got 'lost'. Sadly this is now part of our lovely world. I've had random crap sent to me myself (not bits of paper but thinking on it now, why bother sending actual tat when a wodge of recycling would do?). It wasn't going to be because of an elaborate story, it was a brushing scam.

So no, it's not some dopey older relative sending helpful tips on home decor Smile it's just some grubby commerce crime.

rainbowsinheaven · 28/09/2025 10:15

Have you ordered anything from vinted or something? And the buyers sent these instead of what you’ve actually ordered?

Funnywonder · 28/09/2025 10:19

SeaAndStars · 27/09/2025 14:01

What's a nip screw?

I assumed it was a Scrooge. Never heard of it but it’s actually quite descriptive!

CustardySergeant · 28/09/2025 10:21

MarxistMags · 28/09/2025 02:26

Young nieces or nephews playing postie?

You think they would pay for delivery via Evri?

Jimmyneutronsforehead · 28/09/2025 10:22

Very weird.

We had something similar at our old address.

Handwritten address, no name, posted by royal mail. It was raining so as the postman posted it through our letterbox the envelope tore. Inside was a single 10p bic pen. Thats it.

On the back it said from: and then a name I can't remember.

Googled the name and all that came up was some Romanian noble or politician or something but one of the letters was missing on the envelope.

No return address.

Don't know why someone would go through the trouble of sending the cheapest pen you can get. Hadn't ordered it.

Definitely unnerved us for a bit so I can understand why it would make you worry to receive these.

Really odd.

MyCrushWithEyeliner · 28/09/2025 10:27

At least we found out what ‘nip screw’ means

Sporadica · 28/09/2025 10:43

You could report it to Evri just in case it's part of a larger pattern or in case something else happens later on.

I'd also be keeping an eye on your husband because his reactions to this seem a little off; it may be no cause for concern but it's a bit mean (and odd) to find it hilarious when he can see you're concerned about it.

Daygloboo · 28/09/2025 10:51

MyOtherCarIsAPorsche · 27/09/2025 11:36

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?

Yes it sounds like some scammers are creating a trail for some reason. Or is it possible that a worker somewhere just wants to make it look like they are doing X number of items per hour or something so send through small things like that to bulk up their numbers.

MarianneEdison · 28/09/2025 11:05

Sassylovesbooks · 28/09/2025 09:49

I'd report to Action Fraud, because at the very least someone has your name/address. I suspect the 'brushing' scam is more likely. I would also check your bank accounts etc and change any online passwords. Your personal details are being misused. It's not someone playing a prank or deliberately trying to frighten you. It's a scam.

I would also report to Action Fraud and check bank/card/PayPal.

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 28/09/2025 11:13

Yeah I wouldn’t like this. Put it all carefully to one side and see if anything else happens or appears .

allmymonkeys · 28/09/2025 11:29

Definitely report it and keep evidence - you can either bag up the envelopes in a freezer bag or ziplock, or take images front and back of the outside wrapping and of the contents (which would be a lot more trouble but easier to show investigators).

Report it to Action Fraud and to Evri. There was also an item on You and Yours recently about fake company registrations too, and it said Companies House has set up a new checking service - look online and see if that might apply.

Don't do nothing, this wants nipping in the bud.