Over the past few months there has been an increase in Courier frauds in South Oxfordshire and The Vale of White horse areas.
What is Courier Fraud?
A courier fraud is where a fraudster telephones a potential victim, claiming to be from their bank, the police or another law enforcement authority. They then trick the person into revealing their PIN and agreeing to hand over their debit or credit card or ask the person to withdraw money from their account.
What should I look for?
Calls where someone claims to be from your bank or the police. They may say that a fraudulent payment has been spotted on your card, or that someone has been arrested using your details and cards.
They may then ask you to ring back using the phone number on the back of your card. This is to make you believe that the call is genuine. But the fraudster keeps the line open at their end, so you are actually connected straight back to them or an accomplice.
They will ask for your PIN, or sometimes ask you to key it into your phone’s handset.
The scammer then sends a courier or taxi to pick up your card from your home. It is possible the driver does not know they are being used as part of the scam.
Once they have your card and PIN, the scammer can spend your money and will withdraw large amounts from your account.
Key Facts
• Your bank and the police will never collect your bank card
• Your bank and the police will never ask for your PIN
• The police will never call you to inform you of being a victim of a fraud
• If you receive one of these calls, end it immediately
If you think you have been scammed or you’ve found something which looks like a fraud or a scam contact Action Fraud online or call 0300 123 2040 or call Thames Valley Police on 101.
