Latest from Kent Police Fraud Office
Published: 13 April 2021
Delivery Scams:
Kent Police have seen several reports involving delivery fraud which is when goods are fraudulently ordered in the name of an innocent victim (e.g. the latest I-phone). The householder then correctly signs for these items when they are delivered. A 'fake courier' will then attended the address some 5 minutes later, often dressed in the correct courier company uniform and states that the items were delivered in error and requests their return. The innocent householder then hands these items over but it is a scam and due to the fact that they have signed for the goods originally, are left with the cost of the items.
Please take care if you get any items delivered to your home address that you do not recall ordering and would suggest contacting the delivery company direct and arranging collection of the items. If someone calls stating it is mistake only a few minutes after delivery, tell them that you have already returned the item and then call the Police.
If you believe you have been a victim of this type of scam, then report this to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
Scam Call for Discount Cards and Holidays
A report has been sent to Kent Police this week stating that a person had received a call from 01267645301, where upon they were informed that they had won a discount card, that would give them a lifetime discount of 50% off at every supermarket and restaurant in the UK. They additionally stated that they had also won flights for 4 people anywhere
in Europe, with a 14 night stay at a Villa of their choosing. To obtain this card etc. all they had to do was provide their Bank Account number and Sort Code, so that a 1 Pence test transaction could be carried out to verify the lucky winner’s identity. At one point, they were supposedly spoken to by the CEO of the company. Fortunately, the person receiving the call mentioned the word Police and the fraudsters immediately rung off. Checks on the above number suggest that this a computer generated number and not a genuine landline number.
If you believe you have been a victim of this type of scam, then contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
HMRC scams - reminder.
With the end of the Tax year 4 days ago, Kent Police would like to remind people to look out for phishing emails/texts impersonating HMRC stating you owe tax or are due a refund. Please remember, HMRC will never send an email or text asking you to click on a link requesting your personal data, including your banking details. Neither will they contact you stating that you need to pay a fine by buying gift cards for Amazon or XBox etc. and giving them the serial numbers or you will be arrested that day. These are all scams.
HMRC recently have been made aware of fraudsters contacting people impersonating their Press Office Staff. HMRC would never call and threaten legal action.
You can forward HMRC scam emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599. If you believe that you have been a victim of this type of scam, then contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
DVLA Phishing emails:
Watch out for these fake emails claiming to be from the DVLA. Action Fraud reported earlier this week that they had received 440 reports in just 24 hours. Please remember that the DVLA will never ask for bank details over an email. The only place to access official information on the DVLA and its services is at GOV.UK. If you get one of
these, please do not click on the link and forward to report@phishing.gov.uk. If you believe you have been a victim of this type of scam, then contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
Further details and advice can be found on the Kent Fraud Alert System newsletter.