An ongoing situation involving mysterious and unsolicited Amazon packages addressed to someone who doesn’t live there has been plaguing John DeFiore’s home in Woodside for over six months. DeFiore, who is an electrical engineer, has been receiving an assortment of items that he did not order and does not want. Despite his meticulous online shopping habits and credit card use, he has found himself entangled in what he described as something out of “Twilight Zone”.
DeFiore’s predicament began with the arrival of a small envelope containing two tiny machine screws, which he initially brushed off as a simple address error. However, the situation escalated with the arrival of solar panel cables, a gaming console, a digital picture frame, a portable foot spa, men’s flannel shirts, and over 20 other random items. Though the packages were sent back, the ordeal required repeated calls to postal services and delivery companies for pickups.
As a field engineer specialising in personal electronics, DeFiore is no stranger to problem-solving. However, this situation left him perplexed. The situation reached a boiling point when he was hit with a US$459 (RM2,195) charge for a small sofa that he did not order, and therefore, not listed on his Amazon account. Despite trying to reject the charge, the process was complicated due to the lack of proof of return for the sofa. In an attempt to stop the deliveries, he contacted Amazon’s customer service multiple times, but the packages and fraudulent charges continued to arrive.
DeFiore’s journey to resolve the issue involved closing his Amazon account, cancelling his credit card, and changing all his passwords. However, he encountered a new charge on his account shortly after getting a new credit card. The situation prompted him to question the motives of the person or persons behind the scam.
Indeed, there exists a world of online ecommerce scams that are complex and dark, as highlighted by Lou Covey, editor of Cyber Protection Magazine. This includes schemes such as “brushing”, as well as methods for obtaining credit card numbers and personal information. The extent of this scam left DeFiore perplexed and worried for his personal information and financial security. Amazon confirmed that they had identified the “bad actor” and closed the account, but no further details were provided.
With the hope that the situation has been resolved, DeFiore continues to monitor his credit card for any suspicious activity. He also advises consumers to be cautious when making purchases and to utilize security measures such as passkeys and credit card alerts. Amas Tenumah, author of “Waiting For Service: An Insider’s Account Of Why Customer Service Is Broken”, offered advice on how to navigate customer service in situations like this, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and utilizing various communication channels to seek assistance.
