Wanting to be honest, Victoria signed her package without asking questions. It was there that she was putting herself in danger …
When you receive a parcel at home, it happens that the delivery man demands a signature to prove that he has given it to you by hand. This step serves as proof of delivery to avoid disputes and ensure that the shipment has gone well. For value or sensitive shipments, it is even compulsory in order to protect both the sender and the carrier. At first glance, signing a package is a normal and harmless formality. However, this can also endanger the customer. Victoria recently learned it at its expense.
Like many people, this young mother has gotten into the habit of giving her real signature to the delivery people who go to her house. “For me, it was a question of honesty. I have long thought that my signature had to be identical to that of my official documents to prove my identity”, Victoria tells us. People also often give their real signature to deliverers by automation, without necessarily asking questions. While this can expose them to possible dangers, including data theft.
This is what happened for Victoria. One morning, she consults her emails and is challenged by one of them who begins with this object: “Important information: Chronopost informs you of an incident affecting your personal data.” Quickly, by consulting the email, she learned that she was the victim of a flight of part of her personal data. The survey of the delivery company confirmed that it is its surname, first name, telephone number, postal address and especially its signature “as appeared on our delivery evidence”specifies the email. “I immediately got scared, because I sign with my real signature and if I was stolen, anyone can imitate him and do what he wants with it. Now, I will never put my real signature again on delivery coupons”, declares Victoria.
Indeed, the risk is real. The signature can be copied or scanned and used to usurp an identity or validate documents without your consent. In addition, in the event of a dispute – damaged parcel, stolen or never delivered – this signature can be used as proof that everything went well, making any complaint more difficult. To avoid trouble, it is therefore better always opt for a simplified signature or a simple line.