COURIER FRAUD
Reports of Courier Fraud incidents continue to be prevalent in our region and the public need to aware of this method used by Fraudsters to scam monies from their victims.
Courier Fraud occurs when a fraudster contacts victims by telephone usually claiming to be a police officer, bank official or other law enforcement official. The caller may also be able to confirm some easily obtainable basic details about the victim such as their full name and address. The caller will try and build up trust with the potential victim before proceeding.
Their aim is to get the victim to reveal their PIN, credit or debit card and /or bank details, and more than often will target the elderly as potential victims.
How does it work?
• The scammer calls you claiming to be from your bank or as a police officer and will tell you either a fraudulent payment on your account needs dealing with, or sometimes that a person has been arrested using your details and cards
• You may be asked to call the bank back to convince you the call is genuine using the number on the reverse of your card. However, the Scammer has still kept the line open so you are still touch with the Scammer
• If you do try to call your Bank back, always wait at least 5 minutes for the line to clear or use another phone
• They will either ask you for your card PIN number or tell you to key it into the phone – you should never be asked for your PIN or pass it over on the phone
• The Caller then tells you they will send a Courier to pick up your card – they may often provide a “password” to give to the courier to make it sound even more genuine
Once they have your card and your PIN, they then have access to your money.
Other versions of this scam include:
• Asking you to withdraw a large sum of cash which the police will mark and return to the banking system in an effort to identify a corrupt banking person – one you hand over the cash to the courier it is gone
• A person claiming to be a police officer is investigating sales of counterfeit goods and asks you to buy an expensive item such as a watch or jewellery from a specific retailer. You are then asked to hand it over to the Courier to deliver to the “Police” and again that is the last you see or hear of it.
• A further common variation is to tell you your bank account has been compromised and you need to transfer all your money into a “Safe Account”. Once again you have delivered your cash directly to the Scammer.
Protect yourself.
• Your bank or the police will never call you to ask you to verify your personal details or PIN by phone or offer to pick up your card by courier. Hang up if you get a call like this.
• If you need to call your bank back to check, wait five minutes; fraudsters may stay on the line after you hang up. Alternatively, use a different line altogether to call your bank.
• If you think you have been scammed use the dedicated “159” telephone number for direct access to your Bank
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NEW EASY READ GUIDE TO HELP PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES SPOT THE SIGNS OF SCAMMERS
MENCAP and TAKE FIVE TO STOP FRAUD have launched a new EASY READ guide to help people with learning disabilities protect themselves from scams.
For further details and to download the Guide, please visit:
https://www.mencap.org.uk/easyread/how-protect-yourself-scams
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SAFER INTERNET DAY – 6th FEBRUARY2024
“TOGETHER FOR A BETTER INTERNET
What is it?
It is co-ordinated by the UK Safer Internet Centre to promote the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people. It is their voices that need to be heard on the day, and they are encouraged to help shape the online safety support they want to receive.
Who can be involved?
Teachers, parents and carers alike are asked to take time to listen to these children and young people and help to make a positive change together.
How do you learn more to help?
Visit this link for a full range of materials and resources for parents and carers, teachers and school staff, children and young people, grandparents, social workers and many others
https://www.saferinternetday.org/home
Please feel free to share this information with any family, friends, neighbours and schools you think may be able to assist.
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Take Five to Stop Fraud
STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s OK to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud
ALWAYS REMEMBER:
• Avoid disclosing security details
• Emails, Phone Calls and Texts may not be authentic
• Always make direct contact with any organisation by using a genuine phone number
• Stop and Challenge any unexpected requests
• Protect others by reporting Fraud and Scams
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If you’ve fallen for a scam,
report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk
Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take early action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks.
Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk
If you think your bank account or personal banking details have been used fraudulently, then use the short phone number – 159 – to contact the Fraud Prevention Department of most major UK banks