DPD Delivery with PIN

RHemmings

Though some online research shows that it's been happening for along while, I have my first ever delivery with DPD which requires a PIN code today. 

I'm curious about how this works. I.e. does the driver know the PIN, or is it that their device validates the PIN but the driver does not know it. 

While I will admit that it's never (yet) happened to me, I am concerned about the possibility that I'll have a delivery that is marked as delivered, even though I haven't received the goods. There are certainly many examples of this online, and I note that sellers are often content that they will win the INR case because tracking shows delivered. I have had items marked as delivered when I hadn't yet received them, only to receive them later after complaining to the courier. 

If the driver does not know the DPD PIN code, then this is a way of ensuring that the goods have actually been delivered to the recipient, and it should fix the problem of incorrect 'delivered' on tracking. It would also get rid of the problem of packages dropped off, photographed, and immediately stolen by the driver. Which I assume is very rare but newsworthy when there is video evidence. 

It seems that if the recipient doesn't know the code the driver can request it be resent while at the doorstep. Closing one potential problem if the recipient doesn't know the code. Though, I notice here: https://www.dpd.com/hr/en/news/contactless-delivery-and-receiving-parcels-with-a-pin-code/ that the driver can enter the last name of the person who received the parcel. Which would enable fake deliveries.

If I had the option, then I would enable only delivery with the PIN code if possible. 

GadgetGuru

The driver does not know the PIN. The code needs to be entered into their handheld system, after which the system informs them if the code is correct, and hence the parcel can be released. 

It’s a good system for expensive items - if I had the choice to pay a little extra P&P to have PIN protection, I would on the more valuable items. 

Cashmygiro

Amazon do it on high value items too. You say the pin to the delivery person and they enter it into their handheld terminal which validates it. The delivery person doesn't have a pre-printed list of pins, that would just defeat half the object.

mrcol1000

I've had this happen with Amazon where you have to give a PIN. The box was empty and never saw the driver again (Amazon luckily sent a replacement without argument). Surely asking for a PIN alerts the driver this is potentially an expensive item that is worth stealing.

RHemmings

Thanks. I feel a little bit less silly as when I searched further and found other forums with postings in 2023 that this was new to a lot of people. Less so on here, of course. 

It's true that asking for a PIN may alert the driver. But, I personally feel less worried about theft than I do about potential loss or mis-delivery. As I believe that there are lot more problems caused by incompetence, laziness, or being too busy to complete the job than there are caused by criminality. 

A way around the problem would be if the system only asked for the pin on a screen on the driver's device that is activated when he's at the door. Then, it's harder to empty the box and keep the item. 

doug.doug

Folks, I have had a pin for a low value item recently from Amazon, seems random as most Amazon orders since then have not been given pin

Cashmygiro

RHemmings said:

Thanks. I feel a little bit less silly as when I searched further and found other forums with postings in 2023 that this was new to a lot of people. Less so on here, of course. 

It's true that asking for a PIN may alert the driver. But, I personally feel less worried about theft than I do about potential loss or mis-delivery. As I believe that there are lot more problems caused by incompetence, laziness, or being too busy to complete the job than there are caused by criminality. 

A way around the problem would be if the system only asked for the pin on a screen on the driver's device that is activated when he's at the door. Then, it's harder to empty the box and keep the item. 

Yep, the pin is to make sure the item is handed to the right person e.g. the purchaser and not left on the door step in full view of the road or left at a neighbour or some random house down the street. If the delivery driver knew the pin beforehand then this would still happen.

Also thefts from employees/delivery drivers happen as there is no foolproof way for everything.

deannagone

I had two items delivered yesterday for same-ish value.., one needed a pin, one didn't (both pc components).  The driver put the number into their handheld device and obviously had no idea what it was as I had to correct what he was keying in (he transposed two numbers). 

I've had this happen a number of times.  Driver didn't know what the number was. Why should they when it has to be keyed into a handheld device? All couriers seem to have these now so they can take photo's of delivery.