Latest from Kent Police Fraud Office
Published: 01 March 2021
We have received alerts from Kent Fraud Alert System of various scams.
Courier Fraud remains a massive problem - Action Fraud have just reported that £880,000 has been stolen by criminals across the UK in 2 months.
Courier fraud occurs when a fraudster contacts you by telephone purporting to be a police officer or bank official. To substantiate this claim, the caller might be able to confirm some easily obtainable basic details about you such as your full name and address. The caller may also offer a telephone number for you to call or ask you to call the number on the back of your 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 you to a different individual. The fraudsters may the suggest that,
• Money has been removed from your 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 jewelers or currency exchange is operating fraudulently and they require assistance from you to help secure evidence.
You may be asked to co-operate in an investigation by attending your 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. At the time of handover, you will be promised the money they’ve handed over or spent will be reimbursed but there is no further contact and your money is gone.
Your bank or the police will never call you to ask you to verify your personal details or PIN by phone or offer to pick up cash or your card by courier. Hang up if you get a call like this. However, if your unsure, then ask the caller for their details, then either use another phone or wait five minutes and ring a family member or friend to ensure the line is clear and then ring 101 for the Police or the number on the back of you Bank Card. If you believe that you have been a victim or the incident is occurring now, then ring the Police.
Royal Mail Scams x 2
The first relates to a Text message impersonating Royal Mail which is currently circulating.
It has a veiled threat that you if do not click on the link to pay a £2.99 shipping fee, then “action will be taken.” This is a “SCAM.” If you click the link you are taken to a fake website to steal your personal and Banking details which scammers will use to take out loans, credit cards etc. in your name or steal your monies from your accounts. DO NOT CLICK THIS LINK and forward to 7726.
The second relates to email: Action Fraud have been notified of 1700 Royal Mail phishing emails in a week. If you receive one of these do not click on any links, it is a scam and again the fraudsters are looking to steal your data and monies. Forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk
If you believe you have been a victim of either of these scams, then contact your bank, immediately and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
Scam Covid-19 Grants text messages
Kent Public Protection have received reports of unsolicited text messages targeting Kent residents.
How does the scam work?
• You receive a text message from an unknown number.
• The text will start with 'GOVUK'
• It will claim you are eligible for a COVID-19 grant due to the current lockdown.
• You will be directed to a link to a fraudulent website.
This is a smishing scam and do not click on any links as they want your personal and banking data, to take out loans etc. in your name or steal your monies. Forward the text to 7726.
If you believe you have been a victim of this scam, then contact your bank, immediately and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040
For further details on all of these scams, and for advice on preventing fraud, view the Kent Fraud Alert System newsletter HERE