Courier fraud
In this section:
| 1. What is door-to-door fraud? |
| 2. What is courier fraud? |
| 3. Protecting yourself from door-to-door and courier fraud |
| 4. Reporting door-to-door or courier fraud |
| 5. Further advice on fraud |
What is courier fraud?
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.
It’s important to know that if this has happened to you, it’s not your fault and that there’s support for you.
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.
- A criminal may convince you that there is an investigation where they need you to withdraw cash or buy expensive items. This could be foreign or crypto currency, gold bullion, jewellery, mobile phones or designer goods. They tell you this is required so that they can identify the corrupt person. The criminal may pose as a police officer.
Once you’ve bought the items or withdrawn the cash, they’ll ask you to give it to a courier, or post it to an address, claiming they’ll transfer it to the police.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.