The courier scam - don't get caught out!!!
7 January 2016 - RPS Partnership
Contact us for any of your security concerns, whether it is travel queries, seucrity advice or crisis management planning. We can write your plans, policies and procedures if you need us to. Contact us on [email protected]
Our consultants have over 26 years of experience each in varying sectors. If we don't know the answer, then we definately know someone who does.
Today we want to alert you to the latest scam which has been brought to our attention.
This is how it works...
The courier scam
The courier scam is when fraudsters call and trick you into handing your cards and PIN or cash to a courier on your doorstep. There are many variations of the scam, but it usually follows this method:
A fraudster will cold call you on a landline, claiming to be from your bank or the police. They state their systems have spotted a fraudulent payment on your card or that they have a suspect in custody for fraud relating to your account. In order to reassure you that they are genuine, they often suggest that you hang up and ring the bank/police back straight away.
However, they don’t disconnect the call from the landline so that when you dial the real phone number, you are actually still speaking to the fraudster.
They then may either ask you to read out your PIN or type it on your phone keypad, suggest that you make a bank transfer to them to ensure safe keeping of your money or in some cases ask you to visit your local banking branch to withdraw cash. They may also ask for details of other accounts you hold with the bank or financial service provider.
Finally, they either provide details for you to make the bank transfer or send a courier/state a police officer will attend to collect your bank cards and/or the cash. The fraudster will have then obtained your name, address, full bank details and potentially your card and PIN
Protect Yourself:
- Your bank will never send a courier to your home
- Your bank and the police will never collect your bank card or cash
- Your bank and the police will never ask for your PIN
- If you receive one of these calls end it immediately
- If you have handed over any details to the fraudster, call your bank and cancel your cards immediately.If you want to call your bank, then do it from another telephone.
In the UK, if you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online at http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or by telephone on +44 300 123 2040
Contact us for any of your security concerns, whether it is travel queries, seucrity advice or crisis management planning. We can write your plans, policies and procedures if you need us to. Contact us on [email protected]
Our consultants have over 26 years of experience each in varying sectors. If we don't know the answer, then we definately know someone who does.
Photo: Actionfraud with thanks