Nearly £430,000 lost to courier fraud across region

Avon and Somerset Police have revealed nearly £430,000 has been lost to courier fraud across the region between March 2023 and this April.

That means more than £28 million has been lost in the scam up and down the country, according to stats from Action Fraud.

Detective Inspector Scott Chadwick, of Avon and Somerset Police’s Organised and Serious Crime Investigation Team, said:

“Courier fraud is a cruel crime that often targets vulnerable and elderly people, and can result in psychological harm, as well as financial loss, to the victims. These are people who often rely on their landline phones to stay connected with their loved ones and the outside world.

“The criminals behind courier fraud rely on people panicking when they receive a call to say that something on their account looks suspicious. We urge people not to act immediately, but to take five minutes out to think and talk to people you know and trust who will help to look at the situation. Question who you could be speaking to on the phone, however authentic they seem, and never be rushed into acting.

“We’re asking families and friends of older people to spread the word of what this type of fraud looks like and explain it, so that those at risk are made aware.

“If you or a loved one or friend is being contacted by the police or the bank and asked to withdraw money, handover bank cards or make purchases, report it to police immediately by calling 999.

“We’re also calling on taxi drivers and delivery people, who may unwittingly be asked to act as couriers to collect money or goods on behalf of the fraudsters, to be on the alert and report anything they think could be suspicious to us.”