FRAUD PREVENTION
TNT Post is aware that fraudsters use TNT Post's identity on websites and email messages to mislead internet shoppers. The fraudulent communications typically concern a request for advance wire transfer of money to pay for goods ordered on the internet, before the goods will be allegedly shipped by TNT Post. Or it concerns messages that request for an advance payment before the release of a lottery prize.
We advise all customers to beware of such requests for advance on-line payments, and that the existence of a consignment number (or tracking number) is not necessarily proof that a consignment is in the custody or control of TNT Post.
If you are in any doubt as to the authenticity of any TNT Post communication or whether TNT Post is in fact delivering a shipment intended for you, please contact our customer service team at [email protected].
TNT Post does everything reasonable in its power to prevent these scams from reoccurring. The customer service, security and legal departments of all TNT businesses are working closely together to inform our customers of these scams and eliminate them. Furthermore, we cooperate with appropriate organizations to help prevent these scams (i.e. governments, Western Union, eBay, Office of Fair Trading).
What to do if you think you have been a victim?
In order to close down the fraudulent website or email address as soon as possible, and hence prevent any further scams, we ask you to forward the fraudulent email message to [email protected]. Please note that you will not receive a reply after you have forwarded the email message.
Further, we advise you to report the case with the local police. There have been instances that have actually led to arrests.
The information which you forward to e-crime is passed on to the TNT group's global security department. The team then uses the information to formally approach the company that hosts the fraudulent web site or email address. TNT have developed good relationships with most major Internet services providers (ISP), including Microsoft, Yahoo and AOL. Once TNT sends the ISPs the paperwork, action is normally taken within 24-48 hours. In the second half of 2007, the TNT group closed down over 1,500 scam websites and email addresses.
For further advise and information we want to refer to the following organisations:
e-Auction or internet related matters
If you have conducted internet purchase transactions and have used eBay, then we would also recommend that you review the information contained in the eBay Trust and Safety Centre at www.ebay.com concerning the use of payment services Western Union also provide guidance on consumer fraud awareness, which once again can be found on their global website www.westernunion.com.
Additional information on internet based fraud is available via the Federal Trade Commission -http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
e-Lottery related matters
If you have been requested to forward an advance payment in order to collect fraudulent lottery winnings or incidents of a similar nature, guidance can be obtained from the following website http://www.fraudwatchinternational.com/lottery/
General Information
UK (& Europe)
Consumer Direct is the government-funded telephone and online service offering information and advice on consumer issues (with the Office of Fair Trading and Local Authority Trading Standards Services). They provide guidance, advice and reporting services, which are available at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.
The UK Office of Fair Trading has a website offering guidance and awareness - www.oft.gov.uk.
The TNT group also has a similar page relating to fraud prevention for TNT identities http://group.tnt.com/secondary/help/internetfraud/index.aspx.
USA
In the USA, the national Fraud Information Center and Internet Fraudwatch Program maintains a website dedicated to the reporting of fraud, and has specific information concerning internet based fraud. This is available at www.fraud.org/internet/intinfo.htm and www.fraud.org.
How the TNT group combats fraud
Those customers that received fraudulent communication are asked to forward as much information as possible. This information is passed on to the company's global security department, which gathers whatever evidence is available. TNT then uses the information to formally approach the company that hosts the fraudulent web site or email address. We work closely with most major Internet services providers (ISP), including Microsoft, Yahoo and AOL. Once TNT sends the ISPs the paperwork, action is normally taken within 24-48 hours. In the second half of 2007, TNT closed down over 1,500 scam websites and email addresses.
During this process, we provide the customer with advice and assistance in working with the police if the customer decides to report the case. There have been instances that have actually lead to arrests.
For over 2 years there has been a focused effort to inform and educate all customer services staff of the e-crime problems facing TNT. These internal platforms and documents have been successful at raising the awareness of e-crime within the company. This communication has taken several forms including: