South Yorkshire residents are being warned about a new courier fraud scam after a woman from Sheffield lost over £19,000. The victim received a call from an unknown person claiming to be a police officer from a London station. The scammer convinced her that her money was at risk and advised her to withdraw large amounts of cash for safekeeping. Unfortunately, she ended up being scammed out of £19,500, with money taken from her account and online payments made to the fraudsters.
Another woman in Sheffield received a similar call but didn’t fall for the scam. The fraud team is now urging people to be cautious and informed about this specific type of scam.
Courier fraud involves criminals pretending to be police officers or officials from organisations like banks. They create a sense of urgency by claiming there is an issue with the victim’s bank account or requesting their help in an ongoing investigation. The victims are then asked to withdraw a significant sum of money, which will be collected by a courier for “evidence.”
Andrew Foster, the Financial Fraud Protect Officer, expressed concern about the impact of these scams, stating that victims not only suffer a significant financial loss but also experience negative effects on their health and well-being. Elderly and vulnerable individuals are often targeted by these callous fraudsters.
The fraudsters use high-pressure tactics to convince victims to comply with their demands. They may falsely claim fraudulent activity on the victim’s bank account, coercing them into withdrawing large sums of money and handing it over to “police couriers” who come to their homes.
In addition to financial losses, victims may also be tricked into giving away their bank cards, PIN numbers, mobile phones, and other sensitive information, including answers to security questions.
Identifying fraudulent calls can be challenging, as fraudsters often spoof phone numbers to make the calls appear genuine. The advice given is to hang up if there is any doubt about the authenticity of the call. After hanging up, it is recommended to use a different phone or wait for 20 to 30 minutes before calling the bank or emergency services. This precaution is necessary because fraudsters may keep the line open and listen to conversations before passing the phone to an accomplice. Using a different device ensures a safer method of communication.
If bank details have been divulged over the phone or if a bank card has been given to a courier, it is crucial to contact the bank immediately and request the cancellation of the cards and a block on the account.
If anyone believes they have been a victim of fraud, they should report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or submit a report through the Action Fraud website.
