Help needed please! Special Delivery System?

[Flashman_]

Hi
Can anyone please help me to add some clarity to how the Special Delivery system works.
What I need to know are the following
1/When an SD is paid for at a post office is the destination address electronically stored in the system linked along with the tracking number
2/If yes are there circumstances when it might not be linked or stored?
3/Who would have access to that address, ie could a manager in the destination delivery office have access to see the address if he was to input the tracking number on an internal system?
4/ If there is no electronic link between the delivery address and the tracking number and no verification possible, does that mean that somebody could easily commit fraud by sending an SD to address A. Getting somebody to sign any fake name. Then they could claim that the item was destined for address B but never received it. If the tracking number is not linked to the actual address, they would have no way to know that the item was actually destined for a completely different location and the item would appear lost or stolen by the postman. The fraudster could then claim whatever compensation they had paid for !

I am gathering facts to put into a grievance and these facts will be crucial, so any help will be really appreciated.

Thanks.

[motherhubbard]

If someone signs with a fake name, why do they need to go through claiming it was for another address?
They sign with a fake name and then claim they never received it. I don't see there is anything protecting a postie from this sort of scam.

[Flashman_]

Yes that's the point, how can a postie be expected to sign for an item and take responsibility for it when the system is possibly so flawed.
This is why I need clear answers to my questions, especially number 3.

[clewsy01]

Most of the time addresses are recorded on the system, but how accurate or suitable the databases are for holding them i dont know.

When you go to the post office, they scan the barcode and should find the destination address on the computer system using their own version of postcodes online. On the sender proof of postage receipt the delivery postcode should be on there with an address validated yes or no identified. companies that send out lots of specials usually record all the addresses in a book with tracking no's and they are then given to the collection driver with a copy of the address sheet

so therefore in response to no3, the manager could potentially see the address if he was using the correct system or computer program, he may only be able to see a house no and postcode but obviously that would potentially give him all the info needed. If anybody on here works for customer serv's they may be able to answer this better than me.

[krussel]

3/Who would have access to that address, ie could a manager in the destination delivery office have access to see the address if he was to input the tracking number on an internal system?

Ok i may be wrong but here goes

A manager from the destination delivery office could only use the RM track and trace system to check a paper trail of the special through the system. As far as iam aware this does not contain the actual address.

[clewsy01]

3/Who would have access to that address, ie could a manager in the destination delivery office have access to see the address if he was to input the tracking number on an internal system?

Ok i may be wrong but here goes

A manager from the destination delivery office could only use the RM track and trace system to check a paper trail of the special through the system. As far as iam aware this does not contain the actual address.

correct, on the basic track and trace he can only see that information ad it only tells the current item statues i.e allocated to walk etc.

all depends on what system this manager in question used, however why would a destination delivery office manager need to look for this?

[IcanthelpthewayIam]

1/When an SD is paid for at a post office is the destination address electronically stored in the system linked along with the tracking number
2/If yes are there circumstances when it might not be linked or stored?
3/Who would have access to that address, ie could a manager in the destination delivery office have access to see the address if he was to input the tracking number on an internal system?
4/ If there is no electronic link between the delivery address and the tracking number and no verification possible, does that mean that somebody could easily commit fraud by sending an SD to address A. Getting somebody to sign any fake name. Then they could claim that the item was destined for address B but never received it. If the tracking number is not linked to the actual address, they would have no way to know that the item was actually destined for a completely different location and the item would appear lost or stolen by the postman. The fraudster could then claim whatever compensation they had paid for !

1/ If the item is logged into the system through horizon it will have the postcode and house number attached to it
2/ if it was not logged in through horizon or if was posted by a business customer direct then the postcode and house number is not logged
3/ anyone who has access to the tracked products enquiry system at the do with the second level of access (cant remember what its called) then they can obtain the postcode and house number if availible, this is the same system that you would do the same for the tracked product, all doms should have access to it and most phgs will have to
4/ there are ways round the system but would require someone in the know and being in the right place to pull it off and i have no intention of telling how to manage it, other than to say no system is fallible and there are ways round most things if you look closely at them. but for your issue in point, to claim the compensation the customer would have to provide proof of posting and on the proof of posting reciept the house number and post code are recorded so they couldnt claim it was for a different address as the reciept would plainly show otherwise

[Flashman_]

ZX135 thank you very much for your clear concise answer that`s exactly the info I wanted to know!

Cheers

[Indy]

ZX135.... I don't think you have had to have been in RM that long to work out some scams around this and you'd almost certainly get away with them BUT enough people complain and IB are going to start taking an interest.

[Spedley]

Special Delivery is intended as a service between two trusted parties, it has no vetting of the sender or recipient.

Should you wish to commit fraud then I suspect it would be fairly easy but I think you will find the compensation side of Special Delivery is very much geared towards fraudulent claims.