The government allows Swiss postal service to skimp on mail deliveries; the population is warned about a new scam; and more news in our roundup on Monday.
Government allows Swiss postal service to skimp on mail deliveries
Swiss Post will benefit from greater flexibility in the distribution of letters and parcels.
It will be required to deliver at least 90 percent of letters and parcels on time; however, currently this percentage is 97 percent and 95 percent, respectively.
According to the government, this easing will allow Swiss Post to operate more efficiently and, above all, economically.
The new regulations have no impact on the distribution of daily newspapers, however.
There is no word about when the new system will go into effect.
Federal security agency warns of a new scam
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has been receiving an increasing number of reports about a scam.
Under this particular scheme, the victim is not pressured to click on a link, as is usually the case.
Instead, under the pretext of an alleged suspicious transaction, they are asked to call back a telephone number. However, anyone who dials the number will not be connected to a legitimate customer service, but directly to the fraudsters’ call centre. They are then asked to reveal their bank information, ostensibly to verify the transactions.
The NCSC has issued recommendations on what to do (and not do) if you are targeted by this latest scam.
You can access all the information here.
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Switzerland is increasing controls at its borders
The government will not only ensure that stricter and more regular checks are performed, but it will also consistently deport those who enter Switzerland without valid documents and who do not apply for asylum, the Federal Council announced.
An additional 300 guards from the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG) will be deployed for identity checks, particularly at Switzerland’s southern border
Further customs specialists will also be granted the necessary access rights to the search and information systems.
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Swiss government to create a national strategy for combating organised crime
Organised crime is active in Switzerland, particularly in drug trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking, and illegal gambling.
As a result, the Federal Council has approved on Friday the National Strategy to Combat Organised Crime – the first such effort of its kind.
By the end of 2026, the Federal Justice and Police Department will develop, in collaboration with cantonal and municipal law-enforcement authorities, a national action plan to combat organised crime.
“The activities of criminal groups do not stop at cantonal and national borders,” the Federal Council said.
Therefore, the strategy “aims to strengthen the exchange of information within Switzerland and abroad, as well as the use of existing cooperation mechanisms, for example by promoting collaboration within joint investigation teams in complex national and international cases.”
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at news@thelocal.ch