Courier Fraud
One of our regular website visitors, John from Blacon, has been very busy again. He has sent me another very important Cheshire Police Alert. This time it is about a courier fraud. But what is courier fraud? Here’s more from our intrepid sleuth, John.
What is Courier Fraud?
What it is:
Courier Fraud is when you are called by someone pretending to be from your bank or building society and convinced to tell them your card details over the phone.
They will arrange for a courier to pick up your card to take it away for evidence or to have it destroyed.
In reality, the card is collected by the fraudsters to withdraw money from your account. A detailed explanation can be seen here: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud/courier-fraud
Courier Fraud – What You Need To Know
Individuals have been receiving phone calls from people claiming to be a police officer or banking official.
The suspect will say either: There has been fraudulent activity at the victims’ bank and the staff at the bank are involved, the victim is then asked to withdraw money to either keep it safe or assist the police with their investigation.
A business such as a jewellers or currency exchange is fraudulent and they require the victims’ assistance to help secure evidence by purchasing jewellery or exchange a large amount of currency to hand over to the police.
The victims’ card has been compromised and used to purchase goods by a suspect, the victim is requested to withdraw their money to keep it safe or hand over their bank card to the police.
Courier Fraud – What You Need To Do
It is important to know what your bank or the police will never do. For instance:
Things Your Bank Or Police Will Not Do
Occasionally the victim will be told to dial a non-emergency extension of ‘161’ to receive confirmation of the individual’s bogus identity. The bogus official will advise the victim to lie about the reason for the withdrawal or purchase if challenged by staff, as the staff member is involved in the fraud.
Your bank or the police will not do any of the above.
Also, a bank or the police will not arrange for a courier to attend the victim’s home address to collect the goods the same day.
Often the victim is given a code word for the courier as a way of authentication. Your bank or police will not do this.
Nor will your bank or the police phone and ask you for your PIN or full banking password.
Furthemore, they will not ask you to do any of the following:
Withdraw money to hand over to them for safe-keeping.
Ask you to transfer money out of your account.
Send someone to your home to collect cash, PINs, cards to cheque books.
This courier fraud message has been provided by “Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National) – Telephone Number – 0300 123 2040
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