The new COD scams

Online scammers have become smarter after delivering potatoes instead of headphones and have found a new trick to defraud online shoppers. There is now the possibility that you will get a call from a scammer impersonating an e-commerce delivery executive who wants to collect money for 'cash on the delivery order. The scam involves a delivery executive giving you a random parcel and asking you to pay for it even though you didn't order it.

In some cases, you may also receive a fake online order delivery message from a courier company asking you to keep cash on hand and give it to the delivery executive. Online shopping has exploded in India, which allows scammers to take advantage of people's tendency to forget about purchases made online.


Scammers are so desperate that if you aren't home, they may even ask your neighbors for money.

In case any unknown or little-known company calls or sends messages regarding a cash-on-delivery order, ignore it. Before paying, always check your purchase history in the app.

The same scam can also be perpetrated through an SMS claiming that you have pending deliveries from couriers and were unable to receive the packages on time due to lockdown. The delivery company will claim that the package will be delivered once the lockdown due to Covid is over. They may also charge you a delivery fee that has to be paid online in order to do so. The scammers may ask for your personal details to do so.

Clicking on the link to pay for your delivery automatically steals your internet banking information or credit card information. Delivery fees are usually kept low, which makes you curious about what package is being sent and makes you want to pay right away.

Surat COD scam

In Surat, Deepak Patil, who was employed by a courier firm, accessed the data of online purchases. Hiren Shankar and Dharmik Gangani, who hail from Katargam and Yogi Chowk respectively, acquired counterfeit goods from local markets.

The scam was run out of a Thakkarnagar office in Bapunagar rented by Gangani. In the past, they hired delivery boys and paid them 50 rupees each for deliveries

Brands with a good reputation received repeated complaints about their products, resulting in the fraudsters being caught.

Your personal information is at risk!

It's easier than ever for scam artists to pull out financial information from unwary consumers with new and improved technology. A wide variety of fraud sweeping the nation year after year, including identity theft, online scams, and data breaches, leaves countless victims in its wake.

In response to the pandemic, consumers have shifted from in-store purchases to online purchases, citing social distance norms and travel restrictions. Online shopping is on the rise, which has created a new window for third-party sellers and malicious actors.

By venturing on malicious websites, consumers unknowingly expose themselves to risks that can result in them giving away sensitive information in order to take advantage of the best deals and discounts. Through spam e-mails and promotional messages, they may also fall victim to phishing attacks.

What to do?

  • Make sure to verify any deals that appear too good to be true, even if they were referred by a friend. Be cautious about e-commerce websites you're unfamiliar with. 
  • Don't trust sites that look like they're official. Information about personal and financial matters is collected through these sites. Make sure the website uses proper language and grammar; if the site uses poor language or grammar, it might be a fake website. 
  • Check out the reviews on a shopping portal of the website.
  • Use Vouch to make sure, in case of any delivery issues or frauds, your payment remains secured.
  • Always make sure to check your order history before making a payment.

What is digital escrow?

Digital Escrow is the use of a third party account, during a transaction, which holds the money deposited by the person who is purchasing any product/service until the seller fulfills the terms of the agreement. The transacting parties are supervised by the escrow company.

How does Digital Escrow save you from online frauds in India?

Vouch’s Digital Escrow service is a transparent way for buyers and sellers to build trust and secure a clean transfer of product and payment. Buyers can feel assured that they will be fairly compensated in a timely manner, and buyers will feel confident that their order will be delivered as expected and on schedule. If you ever come across a fraudster asking for OTP, asking you to scan a QR code, or asking you to click on phishing links, you can simply say no and ask him/her to proceed with the transaction through Vouch. 
Vouch Digital Escrow uses a non-interest-bearing escrow account for all transactions in India and keeps you updated and informed at every step of the transaction process till the end. Vouch’s professionals are always available to assist you with all queries that you may have during the entire transaction process. There is no scope for deceit or fraud since the payments, shipping, delivery, and execution are carried out under the honest and watchful eyes of the Vouch’s professionals. With Vouch, any business transaction becomes transparent, uncomplicated, and hassle-free.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is Fraud Story #45. Check back here for more fraud chronicles and scams that you can protect yourself from.

Safety is not just about protecting your credit or debit card number. It's about having control of your money till you've delivered the product or service you contracted to!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: This is a good-faith initiative to educate the world about how to avoid frauds like these. Do you have a fraud that you would like to report? Please write to us at letstalk@iamvouched.com