"Beware of Holiday Delivery and Gift Card Scams" Consumer Agency and Fair Trade Commission Issue Warning

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] #Mr. A requested courier delivery to send frozen rice cakes and dried seafood purchased at a traditional market as Chuseok gifts. However, the items delivered after 4 days were all severely spoiled, and Mr. A raised an objection to the courier company. However, the courier company refused compensation on the grounds that there was no purchase receipt.

On the 31st, ahead of the holiday, the Korea Consumer Agency and the Fair Trade Commission announced a consumer damage advisory regarding courier services and gift certificates.

According to the Consumer Agency, consumer damages related to courier services and gift certificates occur steadily every year, especially with many incidents in September and October, requiring consumers to exercise special caution.

Typical consumer damage cases occurring during holidays include damage or breakage of courier items, loss, delivery delays, misdelivery, refusal to use gift certificates past their expiration date, and refusal to refund gift certificate balances.

During holidays, accidents such as delivery delays, damage or breakage, and loss of items frequently occur. In particular, fresh and frozen foods, which are popular as holiday gifts, may be delivered in spoiled or deteriorated condition, so caution is necessary.

The Consumer Agency emphasized, "This year, due to the early Chuseok, there are concerns about damage such as spoilage and deterioration of fresh and frozen foods, so delivery should be requested considering the period when courier volumes are concentrated," and added, "Proof documents such as waybills and purchase receipts should be kept in preparation for disputes."

They also added, "Avoid purchasing gift certificates when large purchases or cash payments are induced by baiting with high discounts," and "Gift certificates provided free of charge through events often have short validity periods and may become unusable after expiration, so caution is required."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.