Attention: Misuse of the GLS Brand for fraud
Fraud attempts are increasing on the internet and via emails. Criminals misuse the name of GLS to send fake emails or - via social media channels - comments and private messages to private individuals and companies. These often contain requests for payment or personal data.
Please do not comply with such requests for payment under any circumstances and inform GLS immediately. If you have already made a payment, we strongly recommend that you file a complaint with the local police.
GLS will never ask recipients by e-mail to pay the purchase price of goods via an online payment system, credit card or bank transfer. Cash on delivery parcels sent using the GLS CashService are only given to recipients against cash payment to the delivery driver.
Fraudulent messages are indicated, for example, by spelling and grammatical errors as well as blurred company logos. If the sender is unknown, attachments should generally not be opened.
GLS is not liable for any damage caused by fraudulent activities of third parties misusing the name of GLS. GLS therefore accepts no responsibility for any costs, charges or payments unlawfully levied as a result of fraudulent activity.
Known types of fraud and communication channels
There are a variety of different types of fraud on different communication channels, such as
- Fraudulent e-mails
- SMS / Instant Messengers
- Fake GLS websites
- Social media
Please report any suspicious activity to our Information Security team:
security@gls-group.com
We thoroughly investigate every report of suspected fraud, but generally do not respond to personal enquiries.
Fraudulent e-mails
GLS sends e-mails to customers only for related business needs like parcel shipping instructions or information about delivery status. GLS will never demand any payment by e-mail using Credit Cards, online payment systems or bank transfers.
Indicators for fraud e-mails:
- E-mail subject that should build on pressure or threatens with consequences for the recipient
- Spelling mistakes and informal speech
- Sender addresses from @gmail, @gmx, @yahoo or other private email addresses which are not originated from GLS
To effectively combat fraudulent e-mails, send the suspicious e-mail as an attachment* to security@gls-group.com . Of course you can also provide us with screenshots, URLs to suspicious content, or other evidence which can be helpful to identify the fraud. Forwarding a message is often not sufficient because important e-mail data will be lost. Therefore, sending the original e-mail as an attachment is the most accurate evidence.
*Saving an e-mail is possible with almost any e-mail program or web service. Mostly there is an option "Save e-mail as".
SMS / Instant Messengers
If you receiving fraudulent messages via SMS or Instant Messenger, please provide us with screenshots of the conversation as well as the contact name and phone number of the person who sends you the message.
You can report fraudulent SMS and Instant Messenger messages to security@gls-group.com .
Fake GLS websites
In the past GLS has discovered several fake websites using GLS logos, names and content that are used by criminals to commit fraud against GLS customers and non-customers. These websites are designed to trick people to obtain sensitive data like login credentials or financial data.
The main website of GLS is gls-group.com . From this gls-group.com you can access the websites of each GLS country. This website and the websites to which it links are legitimate GLS websites.
If you are not sure whether a website is from GLS or not, you should check the following things first:
- Is the URL address of the website related to GLS?
- Is the connection to the website secured? There should be a “lock” sign in front of the URL.
- Does the website look professional? Are there spelling mistakes?
If a website seems strange to you, please report it immediately to security@gls-group.com by providing the link to the website. We will then carry out an investigation and take further countermeasures if necessary.
Social media
GLS runs some official social media accounts, among others on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. However, you will always see a link to our website and an imprint on official social media accounts. Furthermore, we will never actively write to you via messenger, unless in response to your questions.
Below you can find some indicators to identify fraudulent social media accounts:
- The account is newly created or just a couple of weeks old
- The account provides no official information or contact channels
- The account have no reference to our main GLS website
- The account attempts to contact you proactively via instant messenger
- The account offers special gifts or reference to websites other than GLS
In case you have doubt that a social media account is valid, please report the social media account to security@gls-group.com . If we confirm that the social media account is fraudulent, you can also report the account directly to the social media channel as fraud.
Further known types of fraud
Counterfeit parcel labels
Parcel labels (formerly Easy-Start) to be filled out manually are currently being offered on internet sales platforms for shipping with GLS. These are counterfeit.
GLS is issuing a warning against the purchase of such parcel labels. The counterfeit-proof purchase of original parcel labels for shipping with GLS is only possible via the platform GLS-ONE, the GLS App or at a GLS ParcelShop.
Deception on the doorstep
Scammers in a number of areas in Germany have come up with a new trick to defraud unsuspecting individuals of cash. They ring the doorbell – wearing the uniform of a well-known delivery company such as GLS – claiming that they have a cash-on-delivery parcel, often also saying that it is for a neighbour. The content of the parcel later turns out to be worthless.
Please do not pay for unexpected cash-on-delivery parcels – neither for yourself nor on behalf of neighbours. Check whether the label on the parcel is genuine and whether your name and address, and those of the sender, are shown correctly and in full. If you have any doubts, it is better to refuse to accept the parcel or to contact the customer services department of the relevant service provider.
Warning about ‘parcel agent’ job offers
Criminals who order goods online using false identities and illegally-obtained credit-card data have recently increased their efforts to recruit so-called "parcel agents". The work is usually offered as a part-time job and involves accepting parcels and forwarding them to other addresses, often abroad. The aim is to hide the final location of the fraudulently obtained goods. Police are warning against accepting job offers as a parcel agent. This supposedly lucrative side job means getting involved with fraudulent activity and money laundering – with legal and financial consequences.
