Renewed warning following recent reports of courier fraud

The force is urging communities across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to be alive to an ongoing scam following three recent reports of attempted courier fraud.

Courier fraud occurs when a fraudster contacts victims by telephone claiming to be a police officer or bank official.  The caller sounds plausible and may confirm the victim’s name and address, basic information which could be easily obtained.

Callers will claim that the victim’s bank card has been used fraudulently arrange for a ‘courier’ to collect the card from their home address. The stolen card is then used to make purchases or withdraw money.

This week, three reports have been made by members of the public who have been contacted by someone claiming to be a police officer – urging them to withdraw money from bank accounts due to fraudulent activity.

On Tuesday (28 January) a man in his 80s living in Belton in Rutland was contacted by someone purporting to be a police officer called John Spencer, based “in the fraud squad at Birmingham Police”.

The caller told the man that a bank card had been used at a shop in Birmingham, before patching them through to another person claiming to be an officer based in Leicester. However, at this point the man became suspicious of the caller and did not confirm any of his bank details. No money was taken from his account.

The same day, a woman in her 70s from Broughton Astley stated she too had bene contacted by someone claiming to be a police officer called John Spencer. She was also told that officers had arrested someone in Birmingham because her bank card had been used at a shop in the city. When the caller asked the woman for her bank details she put the phone down. No money was taken.

Yesterday (Wednesday) another woman in her 70s, from Countesthorpe, reported she had been contacted someone claiming to be a police officer and that her bank card had been used in London. She refused to provide any details and said she would contact police herself. No money was taken.

The above incidents are being investigated by the force’s Economic Crime Unit (ECU) and anyone who has received a similar call is asked to get in touch.

Nicole McIntyre, from the ECU said: “Those committing courier fraud try to prey on the elderly and vulnerable. They attempt to sound genuine and work quickly to gain the trust of the person they are calling.

“The police would never contact you and ask you to withdraw money. If you get a call like this, please hang up. If you need to contact your bank following a call, please try to use a different line as fraudsters can stay on the line even after you have hung up.

“Thankfully on each of these three occasions, the person who was contacted became suspicious of what they were being told and refused to engage further.

“However, I’d encourage our communities to speak to one another to ensure no-one falls victim to such a crime. Please speak to anyone you know who is elderly or vulnerable to ensure they are aware too.”

Anyone who thinks they have been a victim of courier fraud is asked to report it to police on 101 or via www.leics.police.uk

Further advice about the scam can be found on the Action Fraud website https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud/courier-fraud and the steps people can take to protect themselves.