Surigao del Norte 2nd Dist. Rep. Robert Ace Barbers. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker has urged the Department of Trade and Industry and other government agencies to mandate courier services to adopt stricter measures against fake deliveries by online scammers.
House dangerous drugs panel chair Rep. Robert Ace Barbers made the call on behalf of Filipinos who had to pay for low value items, which they did not order from online shopping platforms.
In a statement, Barbers called this a form of “online budol-budol” targeting shoppers who pay “cash on delivery” for parcels received.
“I have received numerous reports of people victimized by online scammers who steal personal data from targeted victims’ Facebook, Messenger or other social media accounts and use them to deliver bogus goods to victims, some of whom did not even order such goods,” he said.
The items are usually of low value and are shipped through legitimate courier services, with the delivery rider collecting payment from the victim.
If the package was opened and rejected by the victim, the victim would be required to pay “return to sender” fees, which will benefit the scammer. Barbers said online delivery or courier services should thoroughly check the identity of online sellers. —Julie M. Aurelio