Czech police warn Christmas shoppers about fake parcel delivery scams

As Christmas shopping picks up across Czechia, police are warning residents to be extra careful when accepting deliveries. Fraudsters are taking advantage of the busy holiday season by sending unexpected parcels, substituting cheap products for ordered goods, and impersonating delivery companies.

In a consumer warning, Czech police explain that shoppers expecting several packages at once may struggle to remember exactly what they ordered, how much they paid, and which company is delivering it.

That confusion can make it easier for scammers to collect payments for fraudulent deliveries.

One increasingly concerning tactic involves packages sent to the correct name and address, sometimes through a familiar delivery company.

The parcel may appear to be a legitimate order, but after paying the cash-on-delivery fee and opening it, the recipient discovers cheap items or products they never purchased.

Police are also handling cases in which customers order goods online but receive something entirely different from what was advertised.

Authorities stress that paying on delivery does not guarantee that a parcel contains the correct product or that the seller is legitimate.

Before accepting a package, customers should compare the sender, tracking number, and payment amount with their original order confirmation. Anyone accepting a delivery for a family member should also check with the intended recipient before paying.

Fraudulent text messages and emails are another concern during the Christmas shopping period.

Scammers may impersonate delivery companies, claiming that a package cannot be delivered because of an incomplete address, a failed delivery attempt, or an outstanding fee.

These messages often contain links to fraudulent websites designed to steal payment card information or online banking credentials.

Police recommend checking delivery updates directly through a courier's official website or app rather than following links in suspicious messages.

Police advise shoppers to research unfamiliar online retailers, check independent customer reviews, and be cautious of unusually low prices or advertisements encouraging immediate purchases.

If the wrong product arrives, customers should photograph its contents, keep the packaging and shipping label, and contact the seller. Not every incorrect delivery is fraudulent, but an unresponsive seller may be a warning sign.

Anyone who suspects fraud should preserve their order confirmation, payment records, and correspondence before contacting the delivery company and Czech police.

If banking or card details have been entered on a suspicious website, customers should contact their bank immediately through its official channels.

Further advice on avoiding online scams is available through the Czech prevention initiative Pan Prokoukl.

With holiday orders beginning to arrive at homes across Czechia, police say taking a moment to verify an unexpected delivery could prevent shoppers from losing money intended for Christmas gifts.