Scam information

Are you vigilant around courier fraud❓  

Courier fraud is when anyone claiming to be from the police, a bank or any other professional organisation makes contact to ask someone to withdraw money or obtain a gift card in order to receive a cheque or reimbursement of a higher value.

If it seems to be too good to be true, it probably is.

Fraudsters are known to contact victims out of blue, pretending to be either bank officials or police officers or other legitimate agencies.

They sometimes pretend that the victims' bank account is at risk and ask them to move their money to a ‘safe account’.

They may also ask the victim to download an app to help move the money safely, but the victim is actually handing account access to a criminal.

They may also indicate that the victim is helping with a police investigation involving their bank and similarly ask for money to be moved to another account, to help ‘catch’ a criminal.

The could also claim to be from the bank and say that a payment is due out of the victims’ account for a large amount which they believe to be fraudulent.  Asking for the victim to supply a verification code which then allows the transactions to occur – transferring money to the fraudster.

Alternatively, there have been occasions when a victim has been asked to obtain a gift card with the promise that someone will attend their home address, collect the gift card and in exchange they will be provided with a cheque or similar enticement of a higher value.

Our advice is clear.  STOP, THINK, FRAUD❗

• Hang up or end the call. No one legitimate will ever contact you out of the blue, demanding money or information. Hang up. It’s a scam.
• Don’t believe anyone who says you need to move your money to keep it safe. Only a scammer would say that.
• Never give remote access to your computer or device to someone who has called you unexpectedly.
• If you are unsure a call is from your bank, most banking apps have a function where you can request a notification is sent to your app to prove the call is genuine.
• Don’t feel pressured to act immediately. Slow down. Talk to someone you trust before you act.
• Report any concerns or suspicions to Action Fraud or find out more about staying safe from scammers by visiting their website.

🛑 Don’t share your personal or financial information with someone who calls unexpectedly. Never give your temporary access code, PIN, debit/credit card number, or account number to a suspicious caller. Your bank will never ask you for this information.