Warning issued following recent reports of courier fraud

Police are urging residents in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to remain vigilant following six reports of courier fraud in the last two weeks.

This type of fraud typically sees a victim receive an unexpected call from someone who pretends to be either a police officer, a staff member from their bank, or an employee from an internet or phone provider.

They then tell the victim that their account has been subject to fraudulent activity and request that the victim helps with the ongoing investigation.

Victims are usually asked for details about their financial accounts before being sent to their bank to withdraw money. They are then told to hand over money or an expensive item to a fraudulent courier, who will typically come to their home to collect it. 

Since 29 October, officers have received six reports of courier fraud, with five cases being reported in the last week. The total loss is £23,000. One victim was scammed out of £10,000. 

Officers are urging people to not engage with these type of calls. Victims are typically elderly and officers are asking anyone with an elderly relative, loved one, friend or associate to please make them aware of this scam. 

We are investigating these recent reports:

• On 4 November, we received a report that a man in his 80s from Alton received a call from someone who claimed to be from his bank. He was told his card had been used in a fraudulent way and that someone from the bank would come to his house to collect his card the following day. He handed over his card and PIN number. He then noticed that £3,000 had been spent on his card (44240480454).
• On 4 November, we received a report that a woman in her 80s from the New Forest received two phone calls from someone claiming to be a Detective Constable. The person claimed her card had been misused, but when she challenged him, he disconnected the call. No money was lost (44240480326).
• On 4 November, we received a report that a man in his 90s from Southampton received a call from a man claiming to be a police officer. The man claimed an attempt was made to use the card in a fraudulent way. The person on the phone asked him to cooperate with an investigation and to withdraw money so they could check if the cash was counterfeit. The victim realised it was a scam and no money was handed over (44240480643).
• On 2 November, we received a report that a man in his 90s from Farnborough received a call from a man claiming to be a police officer who was investigating a suspicious financial transaction on his account. He was told to transfer £6,000 to an account as a test so the officers could check everything on his account was in order. He then transferred the money to the scammer’s account. (44240477820).
• On 2 November, we received a report that a woman in her 80s from the Winchester area received a call from a man claiming to be a police officer who was investigating a suspicious financial transaction on her account. The woman was told to withdraw cash so they could investigate if it was counterfeit. She withdrew £4,000 and the cash was collected from her home. (44240477189).
• On 29 October, we received a report that a man in his 70s from Winchester received a call from a man claiming to be a police officer. The man claimed he was conducting an investigation on counterfeit and foreign money. He told the man his card had been used in a fraudulent way and asked him to withdraw cash so he could investigate if it was counterfeit. The man withdrew a total of £10,000 and it was collected from his home. (44240471644). 

Detective Constable Michael Dumbleton, from the Economic Crime Unit, said: “These fraudsters are heartless individuals who prey on some of the most vulnerable people living in our area.

“Victims of courier fraud can be any age, but are typically in their 70s, 80s and 90s. I urge anyone who has an elderly relative to make them aware of this type of fraud as soon as possible. 

“These incidents can often have a huge impact on victims as they come to terms with the fact they have fallen for a scam, and the financial losses that come with it. 

“We do not want anyone to fall victim to these scammers and we are taking steps to inform residents of courier fraud; so that they are aware of this type of contact and can avoid becoming a victim.

“If anyone receives a call of this nature, they should not engage with the caller and hang up. We are wholly committed to investigating offences of this nature and will take steps to identify and bring those individuals responsible to justice.”

Please remember that:

• Police officers, banks and other organisations such as HMRC will never call people in this way and ask you to withdraw money or disclose personal or financial information. If someone does do this, please hang up – it will be a scam.
• If someone calls claiming to be a police officer, ask for their ID number and police force. Wait at least five minutes before verifying details with the appropriate Force by calling 101 – do not use any number they provide unless you can confirm it as genuine. Ensure the call has disconnected as scammers will often leave the line open or use another phone altogether. A genuine police officer will not mind waiting while you check their identity (it’s a sign that it is a scam if the person becomes pushy or stresses urgency). 
• Take a step back from everything and take a few moments to think. Speak to a trusted friend or relative for their opinion before agreeing to anything. The fraudster’s tactic is often to keep the victim busy talking and isolated. They stress that they should not tell anyone else about the call.
• Your bank or the police will never send a courier to your home to collect cash, bank cards, PINs or other valuable goods.
• If you are a friend, relative or carer of someone you think might be vulnerable to this type of scam, please speak to them about this advice. You might be the only person who can stop them from being scammed.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, report it to us by calling 101. If a crime is in progress, dial 999. You can make yourself aware of this type of scam and how to protect yourself by visiting the Action Fraud website (https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/) or by calling them on 0300 123 2040.