Delivery Driver Dismissed After Security Camera Captures Alleged iPhone Theft Attempt
A delivery driver has been terminated from his position after home security footage emerged, purportedly showing him fabricating the delivery of a high-value iPhone and departing with the package instead of completing the handover. The incident, which has sparked outrage and led to a police report, occurred in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, involving a £1,264 iPhone 17 Pro Max ordered through mobile network provider Giffgaff.
Security Footage Reveals Suspicious Actions
Samuel Taylor, a 20-year-old resident of Rochdale, placed an order for the premium smartphone on January 19, with delivery managed by courier service DPD. He received a photo notification claiming the parcel had been successfully posted through his letterbox, but upon returning home from work, the device was missing. His father confirmed that no delivery had taken place, contradicting the automated proof of delivery.
Footage from the family's security camera depicted a courier arriving outside the house, selecting a parcel from his van, and approaching the front door. Moments later, the driver appeared to walk back to the vehicle still holding the identical package before driving off. Taylor expressed his shock and frustration, stating, "I was just really annoyed and I feel robbed." He emphasized that for an item of such value, a signature should have been required, which did not occur.
Company Response and Investigation
After initially being told by DPD that the phone had been delivered and advised to contact Giffgaff, Taylor escalated the matter by reporting the incident to Greater Manchester Police and sharing the footage on social media to pressure the company into action. In a post, he wrote, "Since DPD are not interested in their driver not delivering my £1,200 iPhone I thought I’d shame them on here."
Reviewing the footage, Taylor noted that the driver seemed unaware of being recorded, eliminating possibilities of an administrative error or a delayed return to the depot. "I don’t think he noticed the cameras," he said, adding that DPD confirmed the parcel had not been signed back into their warehouse.
Following an internal investigation, DPD confirmed that the driver had been "removed from the business." A spokesperson stated, "We have carried out a thorough investigation and can confirm that the driver has been removed from the business. We have a zero-tolerance approach to incidents such as this and will always take firm action. We apologise whole-heartedly to Mr Taylor and have informed Giffgaff."
Refund Issued but Trust Eroded
Giffgaff acknowledged that the proof of delivery did not meet their standards and confirmed that Taylor's deposit had been refunded while the case undergoes review. A spokesperson said, "We’re sorry to hear that Samuel did not receive his new iPhone as intended." Despite this, Taylor reported that he has still not received the phone and no longer trusts the courier service, reiterating, "I just want the phone I paid for."
This incident highlights growing concerns over delivery security and the reliability of courier services, particularly for high-value items. It serves as a reminder for consumers to utilize security measures and for companies to enforce stringent protocols to prevent such occurrences.
