小心电话诈骗 Police warning over bank card courier scam

紫竹雨

Police are warning of a phone scam where fraudsters use courier firms to help defraud elderly and vulnerable victims of their life savings.

Over the past two years ‘Courier Fraud’ has claimed 2,229 victims, most of whom were elderly.

Police estimate that consumers have been defrauded out of millions of pounds, with one victim alone losing £155,000.

They’re now asking friends and family of the elderly to make them aware of the scam, how it works and what to do if they’re targeted.

How the scam works
1) The fraudster telephones you claiming to be from an authority – usually the police, bank or Serious Fraud Office. They tell you that your bank account has been compromised and they need to collect your card.

2) In order to reassure you that they’re genuine, they suggest that you hang up and ring your bank/police straight back. However, they don’t disconnect the call so that when you dial your bank’s real phone number, you’re actually still speaking to the fraudster or an accomplice.

3) They then ask you to read out your PIN or type it on your phone keypad. They can tell which keys have been pressed.

4) Finally, they send a taxi/courier to you to collect your bank card. With this and the PIN they can empty your bank account.

Always remember
You should also never give your PIN or bank card to anyone.

Police and banks will never ask for your PIN or bank card. If you are contacted by someone who asks for these, hang up

Use a different line to report it to police on 101 or allow at least five minutes for the line to automatically clear. Call 999 if the crime is in action.