Out of the blue delivery

BlackDragon · 31 Jul 2012 at 17:15

So just before I was due to leave work, I received a call from a delivery company on my office phone.

The woman wanted to know the best time to deliver to my work address, as they wanted to guarantee the delivery. I wasn't expecting any sort of package, so I asked a few questions, and they said it was addressed to "<my name> and team". The latter part of the addressee left me more perplexed as I would never order anything with that as the addressee. She gives me the company name (Athlon), and then some delivery number.

After that, she wanted to know of a few (up to 5) additional recipients at the address from 'my team' as she said the company does not normally deliver that far, and they wanted to guarantee the delivery, and also because it is an insured package. I was a bit suspicious but I gave a couple of names anyway.

After hanging up, I felt a bit suspicious about the whole thing so searched for the name of the sender, and the courier ("LUPS"), which I can't find anything solid.

I guess I'll wait and see what gets delivered tomorrow, but can't help feeling a bit suspicious and perplexed about the parcel. I probably should have asked more questions, but I was in a rush somewhere so wasn't quite thinking straight.

Anyone else had something similar happen to them?

Vanilla · 31 Jul 2012 at 17:15

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Kaczynski

.Griff. · 31 Jul 2012 at 17:24

Are you sure it was LUPS and not LIPS?

It does seem a bit odd though.

randomshenans · 31 Jul 2012 at 17:29

Haha what do you do for a living? Sounds very much like the social engineering I used to do to get peoples names and information on the teams in companies.

Cosimo · 31 Jul 2012 at 17:30

You'll probably get a box full of Athlon processors. Are you sure she didn't say "UPS"?

BlackDragon · 31 Jul 2012 at 17:30

QuickLink said:
Haha what do you do for a living? Sounds very much like the social engineering I used to do to get peoples names and information on the teams in companies.

What was the purpose for collecting that information?

simulatorman said:
You'll probably get a box full of Athlon processors. Are you sure she didn't say "UPS"?

That's what I was thinking, but she said they don't normally deliver out that far, which is strange as my workplace is not that remote.

Greebo · 31 Jul 2012 at 17:31

Could be one of those where they send you 25 boxes of copier paper and then have an edited recording of your phone conversation where you agreed to take delivery of them and hence buy them.

I used to get calls years ago from companies wanting to send me free gifts like ipads but were just after getting me to accept overprice goods for the company.

OhEsEcks · 31 Jul 2012 at 17:32

BlackDragon said:
What was the purpose for collecting that information?

Depending on where you work, all sorts of things.

RomanNose · 31 Jul 2012 at 17:36

Could be a private investigator, or even a head hunter.

'Harry · 31 Jul 2012 at 17:56

Mossad.

Watch your back.

randomshenans · 31 Jul 2012 at 18:00

Normally it's easier to target lower down people to gather information. So it could be for anything. They could be looking for a position like your bosses or just be doing some competitor analysis. Get the make up of your team and the people that are in it, then who looks after it etc. You start to then use the information you gather along the way and before you know it, you know the full breakdown of the business, projects, key peoples experience etc.

Hades · 31 Jul 2012 at 18:02

They now know what time your house is empty.

And also have a few more names at the same company to do the same.

It's amazing what information people will give out if asked

Nexus · 31 Jul 2012 at 18:03

Greebo said:
Could be one of those where they send you 25 boxes of copier paper and then have an edited recording of your phone conversation where you agreed to take delivery of them and hence buy them.

I used to get calls years ago from companies wanting to send me free gifts like ipads but were just after getting me to accept overprice goods for the company.

Yeah it's likely to be something like this.

Dist · 31 Jul 2012 at 18:04

Greebo said:
Could be one of those where they send you 25 boxes of copier paper and then have an edited recording of your phone conversation where you agreed to take delivery of them and hence buy them.

I used to get calls years ago from companies wanting to send me free gifts like ipads but were just after getting me to accept overprice goods for the company.

Couldn't you just refuse delivery? even if they say they have a recording of someone agreeing to it, doesn't recorded phone calls mean nothing in a court case (such as a legal dispute over an agreement to purchase goods) unless they specifically say that they are recording the call beforehand?

Feek · 31 Jul 2012 at 19:03

On the other hand it could be a present from a satisfied customer (this is unlikely if you're a funeral director).

HangTime · 31 Jul 2012 at 19:11

Dist said:
Couldn't you just refuse delivery? even if they say they have a recording of someone agreeing to it, doesn't recorded phone calls mean nothing in a court case (such as a legal dispute over an agreement to purchase goods) unless they specifically say that they are recording the call beforehand?

If it's anything like my company deliveries just turn up and are signed for by reception.

Personally I think it sounds more like social engineering as suggested, the fact they've asked for up to 5 names of team members "because they don't normally deliver that far" just sounds dodgy to me, I've never heard of any courier asking for that.

Keep us posted on whether this mystery parcel does actually turn up tomorrow...

mistercrabb · 31 Jul 2012 at 20:36

As others said, it sounds like social engineering to me.
Do you work for a large corporation with a lot of departments?

BlackDragon · 31 Jul 2012 at 20:49

Feel stupid for falling for it!

Several departments, but not a huge company. They had my name and work address, and got through on my desk phone (possibly forwarded by reception), which made it plausible at the time. Thinking back, they did struggle to read out my address initially.

Wonder what they are trying to get up to.

ince · 31 Jul 2012 at 20:51

Seems like a scam

Antar Bolaeisk · 31 Jul 2012 at 21:37

Sounds like phishing to me.

BlackDragon said:
Feel stupid for falling for it!

Several departments, but not a huge company. They had my name and work address, and got through on my desk phone (possibly forwarded by reception), which made it plausible at the time. Thinking back, they did struggle to read out my address initially.

Wonder what they are trying to get up to.

When calling reception they probably asked to speak to, oh, what was his name, that guy who runs that department, you know his name, tip of my tongue, could you tell me his surname please, I'm sure I'll remember it then, ah Frank yes, no, Robert, ah that was it, thanks, you're a star.