Creepy Package

[giggirl]

At the time I moved into my present house (11 years ago) I had a stalker. This person was convicted and was entirely bonkers, but that's another story. I didn't want to advertise my wherabouts via the electoral register, so I used a completely false name to register with. This isn't breaking any laws. A couple of years ago I reverted to using my own name as so much time has passed.

Yesterday when I arrived home, I found a missed delivery card from Parcelforce to let me know that there is a package at the post office that needs my signature. It's addressed to the person I made up to put on the electoral register. She doesn't exist. She's only ever existed on one piece of paper. Now someone's sent her a package. That's a bit odd. Not even sure I should go and pick it up. I'm sure they'll ask for ID and, obviously, there isn't any. It's creeping me out a little.

[Chick]

Don't pick it up and it will go back to the sender.

[steveo]

This is the plot for a play

[Alan Medic]

I agree with that advice but you will still wonder what the package is and who sent it. Was your other name GG only ever used for the electoral role?

[Salsaboy]

What Chick said. Leave it and it will be returned to sender.

[giggirl]

Only ever used this name for the elctoral reigster. The name consists of my second name and my mother's maiden name.

I don't think the PO will give me the package because they normally ask for ID, but the package will have a return address on it, so I'm tempted to go along and ask to see the return address.

[Otta]

If you did want to pick it up, I'm sure they'd let you have it if you took proof of address. Just say that the addressee is your flatmate.

It's probably just some company that get names off the register and had it on a mailing list.

[Loz]

Otta could be right - your old name might have been on the electoral roll before they gave people to option to stop the council selling their name on. Might just be marketing bumpf.

Given your history, would it be worth picking it up (or getting a friend to) and getting the police involved early if need be? Or if it turns out to not be suspicious, putting you mind at rest.

[ianr]

If you registered the name before 16 February 2001, or did so after that date but didn't elect to have it recorded only in the edited version, it will have been available to all and sundry anyway. At one time I think such data was actually included in free CDs that came with monthly computer magazines. I might even have one somewhere. You could even check doing an online search on one of the 'people finder' sites such as 192.com, to see whether anything possibly matching it is publicly available.

So maybe not so spooky. If the name was on a public version I think I'd collect the parcel and see what the tat is.

[Edited 07:48 pm: I really meant "only in the full version" above. It's the edited version that's commercially available.]

[Otta]

Given your history, would it be worth picking it up (or getting a friend to) and getting the police involved early if need be? Or if it turns out to not be suspicious, putting you mind at rest.

This is how I'd feel. Couldn't bare not knowing.

[FatherJack]

It may be possible to go and examine package without taking receipt of it.

I done this with a delivery that did not have enough postage, when I saw what it was and who it was from I declined to take it, and asked to return it to sender.

[giggirl]

Yes quite right Father Jack - I also had that experience with a delivery that didn't have enough postage. When I saw who it was from I declined receipt.

Yes I will go along to the PO and ask to see it. Ianr, you are correct that I lived here and registered pre 2001 so it is probably some marketing tatt from somewhere. I'm just thrown that it's a Parcelforce delivery. Also because I've been using my real name ont the electoral register for some years now. It's strange but curiosity has got the better of me.

I'll post when I've collected.

Thanks for your input.

[Sanne Panne]

Can't you arrange to have it redelivered so you can examine it at your door and decline if you wish? You don't need ID for a second delivery at your own address.

[Jeremy]

Pretty sure they'll refuse to give it to you, unless you have ID with that name on it. Even proof of address is not usually good enough.

[HAL9000]

Prepare a signed, note headed (i.e. headed with your made up name and real address) letter of authority to collect the parcel on behalf of the addressee citing an item of your real ID, which you take with you to the collection point.

Dear Sirs,

I, 'made up name,' hereby authorise 'real name' with ID No. xxx to collect on my behalf parcel force item No. yyy (or date) as per enclosed delivery card.

Signed 'made up name'

 

[Razors]

Go and get it. Wont be a prob if u take address confirmation, even if they ask for it!

Most likely a let down advertising promo.

Stop continuing to be a victim. If the worst comes to the worst - fk em.

[giggirl]

Thanks for the advice.

Razors - you do not know me. Don't put labels on me. That is inappropriate. I am not a victim; nor have I ever been.

[StraferJack]

Sometimes they can be "by the book" but mostly when I pick up parcel for my partner or vice versa there isn't a problem.

GG - I would definitely go and get it for peace of mind sake. If it isn't some marketing flimflam I would notify relevant authorities just to be on safe side

[Huguenot]

Agree with SJ.

I've got ten bucks says its a load of old bollocks though ;-)

[giggirl]

Yes I agree - probably something selling/marketing. It's the Parcelforce delivery that's thrown me; that's not exactly a cheap option. Most marketing rubbish gets sent 2nd class.

[computedshorty]

Go to Sorting Office ask to speak with the Manager.

Explain your situation, take proof of your true identity.

State that you suspect that the contents might be harmful to you, or indeed any other person in the Sorting Offie if not collected.

Ask him to decide about it.

He has the choice of calling the Bomb Squad or the Police, or sending it back to sender, or giving it to you.

If I were the Manager I would give it to you if you sign for it, on condition you removed it from the Sorting Office before opening it.

I think that the latter would be less disruptive to the Sorting Office.

[giggirl]

Erm - I don't think there is anything harmful in it. I think it's creepy that someone who does not exist is getting something from Parceline. But I expect it is something uninportant. I think the bomb squad can stand down.

[womanofdulwich]

I think we should run a sweep stake on this. I suspect a package from Boris.

[Annette Curtain]

Without wishing to alarm an' all that

But have you spoken to the Police?

Seeing as you have had a previous experience like yours

Maybe

Netts(tu)

[giggirl]

Nope, Nette, not expecting anything ominous. If it csme through the door with a second class stamp I'd put it in the blue bin. Possibly marketing, possibly identity theft, but I don't think anything threatening.

I'm waiting in for a delivery, otherwise I'd hot-tail it down the road and see what's waiting for me there.