Courier fraud warning issued after 'spike' in incidents as police warn 'no-one is immune'
Police have warned of a spike in courier fraud. An increased number of incidents have seen criminals use different and more sophisticated ways of tricking people out of their money, officers warned.
West Mercia Police said the victims were not just the elderly. Courier fraud is when a fraudster contacts victims by telephone pretending to be a police officer or a bank worker.
Fraudsters persuade victims to send money through the post or they will visit the property to pick up cash. The force said fraudsters are refining their tactics to try to con people.
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Instead of visiting, they ask victims to transfer money from their accounts to a ‘safe’ account they have set up or send money, cards, gold or gift cards through the post. Det Con Rebecca Smith, from West Mercia Police's cyber crime unit, said: “No police officer from any force or department and no bank or other organisation will ever ask you to make a payment, withdraw, transfer or post money or items or ask for you bank details.
“We’ve seen a change in how people are being targeted. Nobody is immune from fraud. It’s not just the elderly that are being targeted; it is now affecting all age range.
"Even if someone provides all your details correctly on the phone, it can still be a scam. If in doubt, don’t be afraid to hang up, use a different phoneline and call whichever company they say they from using a trusted source, such as the number from the back of the bank card and directly check if it is legitimate. If it is not possible to use a different phone to call, we would suggest you wait at least 10 minutes before you use the phone.
"I urge the public to get in touch with friends and family to warn them of the risk and help them know what to do. These scams can be extremely convincing and manipulative.”