Courier Fraud Warning

West Mercia Police are continuing to advise the public to look out for elderly or vulnerable family and friends following a spate of courier fraud incidents.

Courier fraud is usually when a fraudster phones their victim and claims to be from the police or another law enforcement authority or the bank.

They dupe them into revealing their PIN and credit or debit card details or ask them to hand over cash or to buy high value items which they then advise them to hand over to a ‘courier’.

Sadly, the most common victims of courier fraud are elderly people.

Detective Inspector Mel Reynolds said: “Please continue to remain vigilant around courier fraud and look out for vulnerable family or friends who are more at risk of falling victim to these con artists. Make sure they are aware of this scam.

“Always remember, no police officer from any force will ever ask you to make a payment or purchase, withdraw or transfer money or ask for your bank details.

“In recent incidents fraudsters have claimed to be the ‘Chief Police Officer of Hereford’ or that they are from the MET police.

“If you have a call like this, put the phone down and call the police or your bank from another landline or mobile to check, not the one you were called on.”

Incidents like these are being tackled by West Mercia Police as part of Operation Prospero, which directly targets offenders posing as police officers, working in conjunction with Report Fraud .

For more information about door-to-door and courier fraud please visit Door-to-door and courier fraud | West Mercia Police .

Anyone who thinks they may have been contacted by a bogus police officer should call 101 or report it via our website Report a crime | West Mercia Police . Always call 999 in an emergency.