Box In Every Day

With the significant increase in shopping online, receiving boxes via one of hundreds of white vans up and down our streets seems common place. With Christmas approaching, most of these boxes will be eagerly awaited but what happens when you receive a box which you did not order?

Firstly, check the intended recipient's name and address. It may be for a neighbour so do the neighbourly thing and pop it round. But what if it is addressed to you and you still did not order the contents?

The Distance Selling Regulations are very clear on this. If you’ve been sent unsolicited goods, you are entitled to treat them as an unconditional gift and do with them as you choose. You are not required to keep them for any amount of time and you are certainly not required to pay for them. Any attempt to demand payment (by threatening means or otherwise) is unlawful.

Sometimes, sellers on online platforms such as Ebay or Amazon Marketplace, do actually send out goods that have not been ordered just so they can improve their selling figures. However, you may well be concerned as to how they have obtained your details and address.

In recent months, there has been an escalation in what is known as a "Brushing" scam where fake accounts are set up in different names and products ordered on those accounts with the products being sent to unsuspecting people. Fake reviews are then posted from these accounts and it would then seem that the seller is selling an excellent and popular product.

Sounds strange but it is one of the things we all need to be aware of as we shop in a cyber world.

Get in touch with us

If you need any legal advice either now or at some point in the future, please do get in touch.  Call one of our local Chattertons offices or fill in our online enquiry form for a quick response.