Trading Standards alert: Courier fraud warning

Following more reports of residents being defrauded, on this occasion in West Wickham and Orpington, Bromley Trading Standards is warning about unexpected phone calls from fraudsters falsely claiming to be from the police or the bank.

Typically, the fraudster may advise to hang up and call 999 or a number for the bank. This is supposed to reassure residents that they are who they say they are, but the fraudster does not disconnect the call and the resident will still be speaking with them.

Fraudsters will also give a false reason to explain to the bank when withdrawing money, such as it being for a family member or to buy a car.

In this type of scenario, often a ‘courier’ is sent to collect cash, items of jewellery, or debit or credit cards from the resident, with this type of fraud referred to as courier fraud. Bank cards are especially used rapidly to make expensive purchases.

There are other examples of how fraudsters trick people, such as:

• The resident’s bank needs to issue a new card
• Money has been removed from their bank account and staff at the local branch are responsible
• Suspects have been arrested but the ‘police’ need money as evidence,
• The resident is asked to assist in an investigation by withdrawing cash, foreign currency or purchasing an expensive item e.g. jewellery.

There can be many other false scenarios used by fraudsters, so it is advisable to be cautious, hang up, and make your own checks to protect yourself.

Visit the Action Fraud website for more information about courier fraud.

Follow these steps to protect yourself if you receive a similar call:

• Hang up immediately before the fraudster can persuade you that your money is at risk; they can be very convincing
• Leave it a good while or preferably use a different phone to call your bank on 159 to check your account is secure
• Call the police on 101 to check whether a police officer has been in touch
• Never hand over your bank cards or valuables - if your card is cancelled, destroy it yourself
• Report the incident to Action Fraud

Report

Protect yourself and others by reporting incidents.

Call 159 to speak directly to your bank 159 - Stop Scams UK.

Report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or on the Action Fraud website.

Contact Citizens Advice for help and advice on 0808 223 1133 or on the Citizens Advice website.

Visit the Action Fraud website for more advice on courier fraud.

You can also visit the scams page on the council website for more information.

Bromley Trading Standards

To keep up with the latest scam alerts and warnings from Bromley Trading Standards sign up on www.bromley.gov.uk/TradingStandardsAlertSignUpForm.

Bromley Trading Standards also runs a fair-trader directory to help you find a safe, reliable trader that you can trust, visit www.bromley.gov.uk/tradingstandardschecked to learn more.