Messages sent via Devon and Cornwall Alert
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The community messaging service used by Devon & Cornwall Police, Action Fraud, Crimestoppers and Neighbourhood Watch
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** NEW - Message issued 10th January 2020 **
Courier Fraud
What is Courier Fraud?
Criminals carry out courier fraud by cold calling the victim, purporting to be a police officer or bank official. The fraudsters will then claim there’s an issue with the victim’s bank account or request their assistance with an ongoing bank or police investigation. The ultimate aim of this call is to trick them into handing over money or their bank details.
Common techniques used by the fraudsters include telling the victim to withdraw large sums of cash, purchase an expensive item, or provide their bank cards/details. In all cases, a ‘courier’ will then come and pick up the cash or items, on behalf of the police or bank. They will often come to the victim’s home address.
Courier Fraud is committed by Organised Crime Groups and targets the elderly and vulnerable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy-RSQfwLDw or
https://www.met.police.uk/littlemedia
(Avoiding Impersonation Fraud)
The scale of courier fraud in the UK should not be underestimated, as nationally:
Recently we have had two victims in the North Devon area, suffering a loss of around £10,000 each.
If you or someone you know has been a victim, it can be quite common to not feel able to report it. We urge you to do so in order that we can get a full picture of the offences which will give us the best chance of catching the offenders. Please report on 101. If it is easier for you to email please send information to: 101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
If cold callers, withheld numbers and silent calls are an issue for you or someone you know then please see this link for information about call blockers:
https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/your-money/fraud/courier-and-telephone-fraud/
Courier Fraud
What is Courier Fraud?
Criminals carry out courier fraud by cold calling the victim, purporting to be a police officer or bank official. The fraudsters will then claim there’s an issue with the victim’s bank account or request their assistance with an ongoing bank or police investigation. The ultimate aim of this call is to trick them into handing over money or their bank details.
Common techniques used by the fraudsters include telling the victim to withdraw large sums of cash, purchase an expensive item, or provide their bank cards/details. In all cases, a ‘courier’ will then come and pick up the cash or items, on behalf of the police or bank. They will often come to the victim’s home address.
Courier Fraud is committed by Organised Crime Groups and targets the elderly and vulnerable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy-RSQfwLDw or
https://www.met.police.uk/littlemedia
(Avoiding Impersonation Fraud)
The scale of courier fraud in the UK should not be underestimated, as nationally:
- £10.5 million reported loss in just two years
- Over 2,000 reports to Action Fraud in two years
- Two thirds of victims were women over 75
- On average victims lost over £8,000 each
Recently we have had two victims in the North Devon area, suffering a loss of around £10,000 each.
If you or someone you know has been a victim, it can be quite common to not feel able to report it. We urge you to do so in order that we can get a full picture of the offences which will give us the best chance of catching the offenders. Please report on 101. If it is easier for you to email please send information to: 101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
If cold callers, withheld numbers and silent calls are an issue for you or someone you know then please see this link for information about call blockers:
https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/your-money/fraud/courier-and-telephone-fraud/
** UPDATE 31st October 2019 - A local resident has been targeted very recently with the same scam described below - please remain vigilant for these telephone scams **
Message sent by Linzi Berryman (Police, DC Alert Officer, Devon & Cornwall)
Fraudsters Are Convincing And After Your Money - Elderly Victims Are Being Targeted
Devon and Cornwall Police received two reports on Tuesday 23 July of elderly residents being the target of telephone scams, with fraudsters working in the area.
Fraudsters are contacting victims by telephone and purporting to be a police officer or bank official. To substantiate this claim, the caller might be able to confirm some easily obtainable basic details about the victim such as their full name and address. They may also offer a telephone number for the victim to call to check they are genuine; this number is not genuine and simply redirects to the fraudsters who pretend to be a different person.
After some trust has been established, the fraudster will then, for example, suggest;
Today's victims, a lady in her 80s from the Exeter area, and a man in his 70s from the Liskeard area, were contacted by someone pretending to be from the Serious Fraud Office, Scotland Yard, by the name of John Collins. He stated that someone had used their account details to buy items online.
The fraudsters frightened the victims into believing their money was at risk and not to trust anyone in the bank. They were told to withdraw nearly £10,000, as well as various amounts of foreign currency, from their personal accounts and hand them to a man called Martin Johnson working for the police; the courier.
It is often the case, to reassure the victim, a 'safe word' might be communicated to the victim so the courier appears genuine. At the time of handover, unsuspecting victims are promised the money they’ve handed over will be reimbursed, but, in reality, there is no further contact and the money is never seen again.
Both victims have been safeguarded and no money has been paid out to the criminals.
The public are reminded that these fraudsters are highly professional in their approach and incredibly convincing. The best way to prevent these scams is to make everyone aware.
Remember, your bank or the police will never:
Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic just because someone knows your basic details (such as your name and address or even your mother’s maiden name), it doesn’t mean they are genuine. Be mindful of who you trust – criminals may try and trick you into their confidence by telling you that you’ve been a victim of fraud.
Stay in control - if something feels wrong, then it is usually right to question it. Have the confidence to refuse unusual requests for personal or financial information.
Message sent by Linzi Berryman (Police, DC Alert Officer, Devon & Cornwall)
Fraudsters Are Convincing And After Your Money - Elderly Victims Are Being Targeted
Devon and Cornwall Police received two reports on Tuesday 23 July of elderly residents being the target of telephone scams, with fraudsters working in the area.
Fraudsters are contacting victims by telephone and purporting to be a police officer or bank official. To substantiate this claim, the caller might be able to confirm some easily obtainable basic details about the victim such as their full name and address. They may also offer a telephone number for the victim to call to check they are genuine; this number is not genuine and simply redirects to the fraudsters who pretend to be a different person.
After some trust has been established, the fraudster will then, for example, suggest;
- Some money has been removed from a victim’s bank account and staff at their local bank branch are responsible;
- Suspects have already been arrested but the 'police' need money for evidence.
Today's victims, a lady in her 80s from the Exeter area, and a man in his 70s from the Liskeard area, were contacted by someone pretending to be from the Serious Fraud Office, Scotland Yard, by the name of John Collins. He stated that someone had used their account details to buy items online.
The fraudsters frightened the victims into believing their money was at risk and not to trust anyone in the bank. They were told to withdraw nearly £10,000, as well as various amounts of foreign currency, from their personal accounts and hand them to a man called Martin Johnson working for the police; the courier.
It is often the case, to reassure the victim, a 'safe word' might be communicated to the victim so the courier appears genuine. At the time of handover, unsuspecting victims are promised the money they’ve handed over will be reimbursed, but, in reality, there is no further contact and the money is never seen again.
Both victims have been safeguarded and no money has been paid out to the criminals.
The public are reminded that these fraudsters are highly professional in their approach and incredibly convincing. The best way to prevent these scams is to make everyone aware.
Remember, your bank or the police will never:
- Phone and ask for your PIN or full banking password;
- Ask you to withdraw money to hand over to them for safe-keeping, or send someone to your home to collect cash, PIN, cards or cheque books if you are a victim of fraud.
Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic just because someone knows your basic details (such as your name and address or even your mother’s maiden name), it doesn’t mean they are genuine. Be mindful of who you trust – criminals may try and trick you into their confidence by telling you that you’ve been a victim of fraud.
Stay in control - if something feels wrong, then it is usually right to question it. Have the confidence to refuse unusual requests for personal or financial information.
** Message issued 2nd July 2019 **
Message sent by Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
Drivers Targeted With Fake Fines
What you need to know.....
Action Fraud have received an increase in reports and intelligence where elderly victims are being targeted by individuals purporting to be police officers or traffic wardens. The victims are being approached whilst parked in a car park and are told by the suspect that they have parked illegally or broken a speed limit and a photo has been taken of their car for ‘evidence’.
Victims are advised that they will face a substantial penalty fine unless they pay a smaller upfront fee immediately. Victims, who opt for paying the smaller penalty, will be directed to a parking meter and asked to enter their card and PIN. These parking meters have been tampered with by the suspect in order to retain the card.
Once the victim inserts their card and are asked for their PIN, the victims are shoulder surfed for their PIN by the suspect. Once victims input their PIN, the card is retained by the machine and victims are told by the suspect to seek help from the company who operates the parking meter or their bank.
What you need to do.....
Message sent by Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
Drivers Targeted With Fake Fines
What you need to know.....
Action Fraud have received an increase in reports and intelligence where elderly victims are being targeted by individuals purporting to be police officers or traffic wardens. The victims are being approached whilst parked in a car park and are told by the suspect that they have parked illegally or broken a speed limit and a photo has been taken of their car for ‘evidence’.
Victims are advised that they will face a substantial penalty fine unless they pay a smaller upfront fee immediately. Victims, who opt for paying the smaller penalty, will be directed to a parking meter and asked to enter their card and PIN. These parking meters have been tampered with by the suspect in order to retain the card.
Once the victim inserts their card and are asked for their PIN, the victims are shoulder surfed for their PIN by the suspect. Once victims input their PIN, the card is retained by the machine and victims are told by the suspect to seek help from the company who operates the parking meter or their bank.
What you need to do.....
- If you are suspicious about the authenticity of the fine, do not pay it until you have verified it with your local council.
- Always shield your PIN from view when using an ATM machine, and never share your PIN with anyone.
- If your bank card is retained by an ATM machine, contact your bank immediately to inform them.
** Message issued 7th June 2019 **
Message sent by Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
HMRC Alert
What you need to know.....
It is vital that the public exercise caution when receiving messages or telephone calls of this nature.
What you need to do.....
Message sent by Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
HMRC Alert
What you need to know.....
- Action Fraud has experienced an increase in the reporting of malicious calls and voicemails, to members of the public purporting to be from Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
- Fraudsters are spoofing genuine HMRC telephone numbers to deceive their victims over the phone. The fraudsters state that as a result of the victim’s non-payment of tax or other duty, the victim is liable for prosecution or other legal proceedings in order to settle the balance. The fraudsters suggest victims can avoid this, by arranging payment to be made immediately by methods such as bank transfer or by purchasing iTunes gift cards.
- If the victim is hesitant or refuses to comply, the suspect makes a threat such as immediate arrest, sending bailiffs to the victim’s address or, in some cases, deportation.
- Often, the period for which the tax is allegedly due is distant enough to guarantee the victim will have little, if any, paperwork or ability to verify the claims. Once the money is paid the suspects sever all contact with the victim.
- In genuine cases, HMRC will initially make direct contact with you via post/letter and potentially follow up that letter with a phone call at a later date.
- If HMRC contact you via telephone they will quote the reference number on the initial letter you should have received. HMRC will not discuss something you are not already aware of, like a tax investigation, and will NOT demand immediate payment.
It is vital that the public exercise caution when receiving messages or telephone calls of this nature.
What you need to do.....
- Always question unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information. Just because someone knows your basic details (such as your name and contact details), it doesn’t mean they are genuine. Instead, contact the company directly using trusted methods such as a known email address or phone number.
- Legitimate organisations wouldn’t ask you to pay taxes, bills or fees using an iTunes gift card, or any other type of voucher. If you’re contacted by anyone that asks you to do this, you’re likely the target of a scam
- Don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision. Under no circumstances would a genuine bank or some other trusted organisation force you to make a financial transaction on the spot.
- Report Phishing attempts. If you receive a call, text or email of this nature and have not lost money, you can report this as phishing to Action Fraud.
** Message issued 6th June 2019 **
Message sent by Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
Courier Fraud, Bogus Police and Bank Officials Alert
What you need to know.....
Individuals have been receiving phone calls from people claiming to be a police officer or banking official.
The suspect will say either:
Your bank or the police will never:
Message sent by Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
Courier Fraud, Bogus Police and Bank Officials Alert
What you need to know.....
Individuals have been receiving phone calls from people claiming to be a police officer or banking official.
The suspect will say either:
- There has been fraudulent activity at the victim’s bank and the staff at the bank are involved, the victim is then asked to withdraw money to either keep it safe or assist the police with their investigation.
- A business such as a jewellers or currency exchange is fraudulent and they require the victim's assistance to help secure evidence by purchasing jewellery or exchange a large amount of currency to hand over to the police.
- The victim's card has been compromised and used to purchase goods by a suspect, the victim is requested to withdraw their money to keep it safe or hand over their bank card to the police.
- Occasionally the victim will be told to dial a non-emergency extension of ‘161’ to receive confirmation of the individual’s bogus identity, the bogus official will advise the victim to lie about the reason for the withdrawal or purchase if challenged by staff, as the staff member is involved in the fraud.
- A courier attends the victim’s home address to collect the goods the same day, often the victim is given a code word for the courier as a way of authentication.
Your bank or the police will never:
- Phone and ask you for your PIN or full banking password
- Ask you to withdraw money to hand over to them for safe-keeping
- Ask you to transfer money out of your account
- Send someone to your home to collect cash, PINs, cards to cheque books