During the summer holiday period, users may need to manage the delivery of parcels either before departure or while they are on vacation, making careful planning of orders essential. Thorough planning and the use of flexible delivery options can help avoid delays, returns, and other unforeseen situations.
In this context, the National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications (ANCOM) provides users with a series of recommendations for planning deliveries and using postal services safely and efficiently.
Check delivery options before completing an order
Before placing an online order, ANCOM recommends that users check the estimated delivery time and ensure that they will be available to receive the parcel at the specified address.
If the estimated delivery period overlaps with their vacation, users can verify wheter the online store or postal service provider offers options such as rescheduling the delivery or redirecting the parcel to another address.
For parcels delivered through an automated collection and delivery system (locker/parcel locker), it is important for recipients to know that the collection period is at least 36 hours from the moment they are notified that the postal item has been deposited in the automated system. Certain postal service providers also offer, usually for an additional fee, the possibility of extending this collection period.
ANCOM also reminds users to carefully check the delivery address before completing their order and to keep the order confirmation and tracking number (AWB) until the parcel has been received. This information may prove useful if they need to file a complaint.
Protect the information displayed on the package
A parcel label may contain personal data such as the recipient’s name, address, phone number, and the shipment’s tracking number. ANCOM advises users not to post photos in which the shipping details displayed on the parcel are visible and not to share tracking numbers (AWB) or parcel collection codes in public spaces.
Before disposing of the packaging, labels containing personal data should be removed or rendered unreadable in order to prevent unauthorized access to this information by third parties.
If users are unable to collect a parcel in person, they should make use, where available, of the alternative options offered by the service provider, such as parcel redirection or delivery rescheduling, rather than requesting that the postal item be left in unattended locations.
Beware of fraudulent messages impersonating postal service providers
During the holiday season, when people are often focused on vacation preparations, fraudulent messages impersonating postal service providers can more easily go unnoticed.
For example, users may receive fraudulent SMS messages or emails claiming that a parcel could not be delivered, that the delivery address needs to be updated, that an additional fee must be paid, or that an alternative delivery method should be selected. Before clicking on links contained in such messages or providing personal or banking information, ANCOM advises users to carefully verify the sender and the information provided. If there are any doubts regarding the origin of a message, users are encouraged to contact the postal service provider directly using the official contact details published by the provider.