Warning about courier fraud after rise in reports across Sussex
Sussex Police has issued advice to protect people from falling victim to courier fraud
Sussex Police is urging residents to stay alert, after a rise in reports of courier fraud across Sussex.
Courier fraud is when a fraudster calls the victim pretending to be from the police or a bank and asks for money under false pretences.
They will arrange for someone to pick up the money from the victim’s home, or take their bank card and withdraw money from their account.
In Sussex, the average loss to victims since August this year has been £8,249.
More than 75 per cent of victims were aged 75 and over.
Reports of courier and impersonator fraud in Sussex have risen by seven per cent between August and November, 2020, compared to same period in 2019.
One victim was a 78 year-old woman from Horsham, who had her bank cards taken on 16 November.
The suspects phoned her pretending to be from her bank and said someone would attend her address to collect the card.
She was given a reference number over the phone before a man came to pick up her card.
The victim was also asked for personal information including her PIN number.
After several days, she became aware of the scam and reported it to police.
She had been alerted to it by her bank after large sums of cash were withdrawn from her account in Croydon.
The victim lost a total of £840.
PC Bernadette Lawrie, financial abuse safeguarding officer said:
"Criminals continue to exploit people through this appalling method and we are urging the public to be cautious of unexpected phone calls from people asking for personal information.
"If you have an older family member, we urge you to talk them through these tips for keeping safe from these courier fraud."
Sussex Police has issued the following steps to help people protect themselves from courier fraud:
- Act with care if you get an unsolicited call
- The police or your bank will never ask you to withdraw money or hand over your bank cards
- Never transfer funds into a new account on the instruction of an unexpected caller – even if they tell you that the account is in your name
- Always check your phone line has properly disconnected before making another call – wait five minutes after the suspicious call before making another
- Never share your PIN number or enter your PIN into a telephone
- Never withdraw money and hand it to a courier or anyone who comes to your door
- Never give your bank cards to a courier or anyone who comes to your door.
The force is asking people to pass this advice onto their loved ones, particularly those who are elderly or vulnerable.
Anybody who believes they, or someone they know, has been a victim of fraud can report information online or by calling 101.
Always call 999 in an emergency.
There is more information about Operation Signature, Sussex Police's initiative to identify and protect vulnerable victims of fraud, here.