UK Alert: Police Warn of Rising Courier Fraud at Banks

Imagine receiving a call informing you of an issue with your bank. The individual on the line, professing to be from the police or your bank, informs you that a courier will soon arrive to collect your debit card. Once the card is taken, it is used to accumulate thousands of pounds in debt before you even realize you’ve been scammed.

This type of deception, known as “courier fraud,” isn’t a new tactic but has seen a resurgence recently, prompting police across the UK to issue alerts. This week, the Metropolitan Police announced the arrest of 18 individuals and the recovery of £250,000 along with numerous bank cards, following a two-month intensive operation.

The London police stress that criminals often aim at vulnerable demographics, especially the elderly, with 80% of the victims being over the age of 65. The oldest known victim was 101 years old.

In a recent case from March, a man was imprisoned for courier fraud after deceiving an 80-year-old woman into handing over her bank cards and PINs, and even purchasing gold bars, which she then gave to the fraudsters for “safekeeping.” The total loss amounted to over £600,000.

Anatomy of the Scam

The fraud begins with a phone call from someone claiming to be either a police officer or bank official, stating that there is an issue with your account that requires investigation. They may ask for your help in protecting your funds or in aiding their investigation.

Often, they request that you withdraw money and hand it over for “safekeeping” or for them to “investigate” potential inside fraud at the bank. Typically, they ask for your bank card as well.

Once you agree, you are instructed to either mail the cash or card or are informed that someone will come to your residence to collect it. There is usually urgency imposed on you to act swiftly.

In one instance this year, a scammer posing as a member of Scotland Yard’s Action Fraud team told a victim that her card was needed to check for fingerprints to facilitate an arrest. She was warned that non-compliance would lead to her arrest.

When the supposed courier arrives, they often impersonate police personnel.

Demands of the Scam

The scammers typically ask for your debit or credit cards, cash, or even prompt you to purchase valuable assets like gold, which are then supposed to be handed over to the criminals for “safekeeping.”

How to Protect Yourself

Exercise extreme caution with unexpected calls from someone claiming to be from your bank or the police, especially if they request personal or financial details.

If you feel uneasy, hang up and call your bank or the police from another phone using known and official numbers. If you only have one phone, wait at least a minute before redialing to ensure the original caller has not kept the line open. Be wary if there’s no dial tone.

Never surrender your cash, bank cards, or engage in purchases initiated from such calls, and never disclose your PIN.

Should you accidentally provide your card to a scammer, contact your bank immediately to have it cancelled.