Courier fraud is where the fraudster cold calls the victim on their landline telephone. The general target group is 60 years +.
They claim to be a police officer giving details of rank and stating he is from a London police station. The offender states that someone is using the victims bank cards and asks them to call back on the number on the back of the card.
The offender does not hang up and the victim dials the number and ends up speaking to the same person who takes their card details including the pin, they make claims designed to encourage the victim to divulge specific personal information ultimately requesting the victim to provide their bank details and PIN.
The victims are told to withdraw large amounts of cash from their bank and not to tell anyone. The victim is then told to put the cash and sometimes the bank card into an envelope as it is needed urgently by the forensic team.
The fraudster will then arrange for either a taxi, a courier or an associate to collect the envelope from the victim’s home address, the fraudster is then in possession of the cash, your card and your PIN.
The offender will either use the card to withdraw cash, use the card to purchase online goods or use it in stores to purchase high value goods.
Please remember the following:
- The Police or the Bank will NEVER ask for bank details or a PIN over the phone.
- Never give your bank cards or PIN to anyone.
- If you receive one of these calls end it immediately.
Always call 999 if the crime is in action or report any other incidents to the police on the Non-Emergency number 101.