Stay Scam-Free : Ninja Van Malaysia’s Guide to Safe Online Shopping
As the year-end
sales period approaches, including popular events like 11.11 and 12.12, Ninja
Van Malaysia has issued an advisory to warn consumers of the alarming rise in
cash-on-delivery (COD) scams across the country. The courier service has
observed a surge in scam parcels in 2024, particularly in major urban and
suburban areas, and is using this opportunity to educate consumers on
protecting themselves against these fraudulent schemes.
Based on Ninja Van Malaysia’s advisory, ‘Ninja Van Explains: Cash-On-Delivery Scams[1]’, scammers often pose as legitimate online sellers, using freight forwarders to arrange COD deliveries through third-party logistics (3PL) providers like Ninja Van. This tactic results in unsuspecting customers receiving parcels they never ordered or items of lesser value. Many customers fall prey to these scams through enticing advertisements that promote attractive deals or discounted items, creating a sense of urgency to purchase. To avoid being a victim of such scams, Ninja Van Malaysia advises consumers to verify sellers, be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, and report any suspected scams. Ninja Van Malaysia also urges the public to stay alert to other scams, including phishing scams and scammers pretending to be Ninja Van Malaysia representatives on instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp.
Over the
years, Ninja Van Malaysia has observed a rise in COD scams across all regions
in the country. While these scams take place throughout the year, the majority
of these scammers strike during the year-end peak sales period.
Rising
COD Scams Across Regions
According to a
report by CelcomDigi[2]’, a total of 7,881
incidents occurred involving individuals falling victim to fraud or deception.
Complementing these findings, a recent analysis by Ninja Van Malaysia reveals a
substantial increase in COD scams throughout various regions, with Klang Valley
consistently reporting the highest numbers each quarter. In Q3 2024, Klang
Valley recorded over 3,000 scam parcels, representing a significant increase of
49.22% compared to the cases reported in Q3 2023. This issue, however, is not
confined to only urban centres. Southern and northern Peninsular Malaysia are
also experiencing increases, with the southern region reporting more than 150%
rise from Q3 2023 and Q3 2024. Eastern Malaysia, while initially recording
lower numbers, saw cases climb by 160% over the past year. These findings
highlight that no region is immune from these fraudulent activities.
Understanding
the Growing Threat of COD Scams
While COD offers
convenience to consumers, it also provides a unique advantage to scammers who
exploit its cash-based nature. During high-traffic shopping periods such as
11.11, fraudsters frequently promote enticingly cheap items online to lure
unsuspecting buyers eagerly anticipating their purchases. As the saying goes,
'If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers would employ
various deceptive tactics, including sending fake or misrepresented parcels,
intending to trick recipients into paying without closely inspecting the items.
Ninja
Van Malaysia’s Recommendations for COD Safety
To help consumers
stay safe during this high-risk season, Ninja Van Malaysia has outlined
essential guidelines to minimise the risk of falling victim to COD scams:
●
Check Online Sellers’ Reviews and Ratings: Look for customer reviews and ratings on the product and seller.
Reputable online shops typically have verified buyer feedback that can provide
insights into the sellers’ reliability and quality of products.
●
Verify Website Security: Ensure that the
website uses secure payment methods. Look for "https://" in the URL
and a padlock symbol in the address bar, which indicates a secure connection.
●
Research the Seller: Search for the
seller's name and keywords like "scam" or "complaints."
This can help you uncover any negative feedback from previous customers.
●
Compare Prices: If a deal seems too good
to be true, it probably is. Compare prices across different platforms to see if
the offer is reasonable or suspiciously low.
●
Verify Your Order Details: Before
accepting a COD parcel, double-check the sender and product details against
your order confirmation. Scammers often send parcels that resemble legitimate
purchases, so confirming the expected delivery and contents can be crucial.
●
Be Cautious with Unexpected Parcels:
Always inform family members if you’re expecting a parcel. Receiving a COD
parcel for an item you did not order is a red flag. Scammers rely on confusion
or fear of missing out, hoping recipients will pay without question. Reject any
parcel that you cannot confirm ordering. If you receive a parcel you cannot
confirm ordering, do not hesitate to reject it.
●
Verify Through Official Channels: Always
confirm delivery details via the Ninja Van app or website to ensure the parcel
is genuinely linked to a recent purchase. Ninja Van’s customer support team is
available to assist if fraud is suspected.
●
Stay Informed and Vigilant: Awareness is
the first line of defence. Ninja Van’s official Parcel Scams Advisory page
provides the latest information on common scams and tips to recognize
fraudulent deliveries. Customers who receive suspicious parcels or payment
requests can report them directly to Ninja Van via email at support_my@ninjavan.co or through Ninja Chat.
Combating
Scams Together: Ninja Van Malaysia’s Commitment
Ninja Van Malaysia
is taking significant steps to combat COD scams by strengthening security
protocols, educating delivery personnel, and equipping them to recognize scam
indicators. However, addressing this issue requires a combined effort. By
following these safety tips and staying vigilant, consumers can actively reduce
the risk of COD scams. Ninja Van Malaysia remains committed to supporting its
customers, ensuring safe and reliable parcel delivery.
For more detailed information on how to safeguard yourself, visit Ninja Van’s official Parcel Scams Advisory page.
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[1] Ninja Van Explains: Cash-On-Delivery
Scams
[2] Towards a Safe and Resilient Digital
Malaysia