West Mercia Police are continually urging people to be vigilant to Courier Fraud. Please remember police officers, and banks will never ask for account details or PINs over the phone. They also would not come around to your house to collect your cards or property.
West Mercia Police write “We would encourage anyone with elderly relatives or friends to talk to them about the Courier Fraud Scam, and make sure that they are aware – police officers, and banks will never ask for account details or PINs over the phone
- If you receive a call by someone claiming to be a police officer asking for money, hang up immediately, wait 10 minutes and call 101 using another phone if possible. In an emergency or if a crime is in progress call 999.
- In some instances telephone scammers have said that the amount taken from the bank is higher than the allowable amount. Be aware of what the maximum is that you can withdraw from your bank and see it as a warning sign if the caller states that more has been taken.
- Banks, police officers and similar professionals will never contact members of the public to ask them to assist with investigations by ‘moving money to a safe account’ or similar activity such as buying items.
- Fraudsters can seem to be highly credible, but if someone you don’t know contacts you out of the blue asking you to help with ‘an investigation’, be suspicious!
- Older, less tech-savvy people often fall victim to courier fraud, please make older family members and friends aware of courier fraud – police officers, and banks will never ask for account details or PINs over the phone.