Courier fraud increase

Courier fraud is on the increase.

The fraud involves the fraudster contacting victims by telephone purporting to be a police officer or bank official.

The caller might be able to confirm some easily obtainable basic details about the victim such as their full name and address.

The caller may also offer a telephone number for the victim to telephone or ask the victim to call the number on the back of their bank card to check that they are genuine.

In these circumstances, either the number offered will not be genuine or, where a genuine number is suggested, the fraudster will stay on the line and pass the victim to a different individual. 

The fraudster will then suggest;

– Some money has been removed from a victim’s bank account and staff at their local bank branch are responsible.

– Suspects have already been arrested but the “police” need money for evidence.

– A business such as a jewellers or currency exchange is operating fraudulently, and they require assistance to help secure evidence.

Victims are then asked to co-operate in an investigation by attending their bank and withdrawing money, withdrawing foreign currency from an exchange, or purchasing an expensive item to hand over to a courier for examination who will also be a fraudster.

Be aware –

Your bank or the police will NEVER call you to ask you to verify your personal details or PIN by phone, ask you to help with an investigation or offer to pick up your card or a cash withdrawal by courier.

You should hang up immediately if you get a call like this.

If you need to call your bank back to check, wait five minutes; fraudsters may stay on the line after you hang up. Alternatively, use a different line altogether to call your bank.

Please share this with elderly and vulnerable friends and family as it’s often those who are targeted.