|
||
|
|
||
|
||
|
Courier Fraud and How to Avoid Being the Next Victim! |
||
|
Courier fraud is when someone contacts you by phone impersonating trusted authorities such as police officers or bank officials. They may even do this in person. They do this to trick you into handing over cash or your bank cards to them, or to a courier. Sometimes they trick victims into purchasing and handing over other expensive items, such as jewellery. The courier may not know they’re being used as part of the crime.
Examples of Courier Fraud:
A criminal calls you saying there is a problem with your bank account and gets you to tell them your bank card PIN. They might say there’s a fraudulent payment on your card or that someone has been arrested using your details. They then tell you that a courier will pick up your bank card, so that it can be cancelled. With your card and PIN, they can now use your card. Once you’ve bought the items or withdrawn the cash, they’ll ask you to give it to a courier, or post it to an address, claiming they’ll transfer it to the police. They'll then take the money or goods. A fraudster may also say that your bank account has been taken over and that you need to transfer your money to a new 'safe' account. The new account is operated by the criminals, who then steal the funds.
What you can do to stay safeHere are some tips to stay safe: If someone knocks at your front door claiming to be from a company, first check their ID. If you’re not happy, don’t let them in. Never call the phone number on a salesperson's ID card to check them out. Ask them to wait outside, shut the door and find the company number on the internet. If they’re genuine, they’ll understand. Banks and the police will never call you to verify your PIN. They won’t ask you to withdraw money or buy or send items on their behalf for investigations. Hang up if you get a call like this. Always verify suspicious calls by contacting the organisation using a trusted phone number. Calling 159 will put you through to your bank. If calling back from a landline after a suspicious call, wait a few minutes as criminals may stay on the line after you hang up. Alternatively, use a different phone line to call your bank. Never transfer money or make purchases on behalf of someone you don’t know. If it's an emergency, call the police on 999. Report suspicious activity to Report Fraud, the UK’s national cyber crime and fraud reporting service.
| ||
Reply to this message | ||
|
|
