Attention: Misuse of the GLS Brand for fraud

There are more and more attempts at fraud on the Internet and via e-mails. Criminals misuse the name of GLS as the sender and send fake e-mails, comments or private messages via our social media channels, especially to private individuals, but also to companies. These often contain requests for payment or personal data.

Recipients of such a message should inform GLS immediately and under no circumstances comply with requests for payment.

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. In case you are expecting a parcel from a non-EU country or if you are based in a non-EU country you may be contacted to pay duties & taxes by Email, SMS or letter by either GLS or an authorized agent. 

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

We take a proactive approach to fraud and are grateful for any reports of fraudulent activity on behalf of GLS. Please let us know as soon as possible if you suspect you have received fake e-mails or SMS, or if a website or social media account is impersonating GLS, so we can take swift action to stop the fraud.

Please report any suspicious activity to our Information Security team at:

We thoroughly investigate every report of suspected fraud, but generally do not respond to personal inquiries. If you have questions about the status of a shipment, please send them directly to our customer service team. mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

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 website or at a GLS ParcelShop.

Deception at the doorstep

Scammers in a number of areas 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’s for a neighbor. 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 neighbors. 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.

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