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Boston residents are receiving fraudulent calls from criminals who claim they are from the police. Three calls have been reported of a similar nature with the caller stating they are from Coventry Police and using the name DS Harvey.
The fraudsters make up a story about an investigation and ask the victim to withdraw cash. Of the three calls reported this week on Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 December, sadly one resident has handed over a significant sum of money to a courier.
We are urging members of the public to share this information with their friends, family members and neighbours to help prevent them from becoming a victim of courier fraud.
What is courier fraud?
Courier fraud happens when criminals cold call victims pretending to be a police officer or bank official, convincing them to hand over their cash, bank cards or any other high-value items to a courier that’s been sent to their home.
Fraudsters will often suggest some money has been removed from the victim’s account and that the staff from their local bank are being investigated. They may also suggest that an individual known to the victim has been arrested but the “police officers” need money for evidence.
Another tactic being used by criminals is to instruct the unsuspecting victim to purchase high-value items such as jewellery or gold. If you receive a call like this, please hang up immediately.
Stay safe advice
Your bank or the police will never ask you for your PIN, bank card, or any other financial details. They will also never ask you to withdraw money or to buy items on their behalf to be picked up by a courier.
There are call blocking services available that can help screen out unwanted calls. If you receive an unexpected call, hang up and use another phone to call back and confirm the identity on a number you can verify yourself, not one given by the caller. Ask yourself, “how do I know they are who they say they are?”. Find more information and advice here: Advice about fraud | Lincolnshire Police 
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