Number 2 of the 12 Frauds of Christmas – Courier Fraud
Published: 06 December 2022
Courier fraud is when victims receive a phone call from a criminal who is pretending to be a police officer or bank official. Don’t assume a phone call is authentic just because someone knows your name and address.
Remember, the Police or your Bank will never ask you to hand over either your cash or your card and PIN details. Neither will they ask you to transfer your money to a safe account. If you get an unsolicited call, never divulge personal information and apply the ABC of SCAM awareness, which is Never Assume or Believe and always Confirm. If you get a call like this, then use an alternative phone to the one you have been called on or if there is not one, then wait 10 minutes and ring a family member or friend to ensure the line has been disconnected, as fraudsters can stay on the line. Then ring a trusted number, which in the case of the Police is 101 or your Bank 159 or the customer services number printed on the back of your card.
If you think that you may have been a victim of this or any other type of scam, then contact your Bank immediately, which you can do by calling 159 and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.