Quick thinking taxi driver praised for preventing further fraud loss

Fraud officers have praised the actions of a taxi driver who helped protect an elderly woman and prevent her suffering further financial loss after she was targeted by fraudsters.

More than £3000 had been taken from the woman’s account after she was scammed by someone pretending to be from her bank.

Police were first made aware of the incident after receiving a call on Saturday (25 July) from a concerned Uber driver.

He had been booked to collect an envelope from a woman in her 80s at her home in Earl Shilton and was to deliver it to an address in London.

After leaving the property, the driver suspected the envelope contained the woman’s bank card and that she may have been the victim of fraud.

Officers attended the woman’s home and she explained she had received an initial phone call on Wednesday 22 July from a man claiming to be from her bank reporting fraudulent activity on her account.

Over the next few days, the same man contacted her multiple times to gain information before informing her that a new bank card was being sent out and her old one was going to be collected to be destroyed.

It is thanks to the actions of the Uber driver sent to collect the card, officers were able safeguard the victim and prevent the fraud from escalating further.

DC Dan Thorpe, from the force’s specialist Economic Crime Unit (ECU), said: “We would like to thank the driver involved for his vigilance and quick thinking. Although he had been booked to carry out what appeared to be a straightforward collection, he trusted his instincts when something didn't feel right.

“While the woman had already lost around £3,000, the driver's intervention allowed us to attend, safeguard a vulnerable victim and prevent what could have been significantly greater financial losses.

“The woman explained that she was initially suspicious of the call she received but she became more trusting as the caller was able to provide her with personal information, including her date of birth.

“The same person then called her several times over the next few days before arranging for her bank card to be collected. Believing she was speaking to a genuine member of staff from her bank, she did as she was asked and handed the envelope over to the Uber driver.”

The incident highlights the important role taxi drivers can play in helping to prevent this type of criminality, known as courier fraud.

Officers in the ECU work closely with taxi firms and private hire companies to highlight these type of offences and the signs to look out for as part of Operation Blue Mountain.

DC Thorpe added: “Criminals carrying out these types of offences often exploit legitimate taxi and private hire services without the driver's knowledge. This case demonstrates the vital role drivers can play in identifying suspicious circumstances and protecting vulnerable members of our communities.

“Typically, the suspect persuades the victim into handing over bank cards or other valuables and tells them they will arrange for a taxi to come and collect the items.

“The taxi driver is then told they are collecting an item left at a relative’s address.  The victim, having been socially engineered by the scammer, is provided with a cover story and specific wording to ensure consistency when handing over the item.

“Unbeknown to the driver, they collect bank cards which are usually prepared by the victim in an envelope, and deliver them to the offender, believing they are simply assisting with a legitimate task.

“As part of Operation Blue Mountain, we are working with firms to raise awareness of this type of criminality and we are asking that anyone who is sent to collect a package asks the sender what the item is and whether they have been asked to send it by someone they know personally.

“As in this case, any drivers who have concerns are asked to report them to police.”

Anyone with suspicions is asked to contact 999 and quote Blue Mountain, providing their taxi registration number, location and destination.

Taxi drivers are also being encouraged to raise awareness of these types of offences amongst their everyday elderly or vulnerable passengers and to consider unusual repeat fares to local banks.

Family and friends of elderly or vulnerable people are ask to spread the vigilance message and ask people to be mindful of these types of offences and the steps they can take to reduce their chances of falling victim.

Further information about courier fraud can be found here - https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/courier-fraud/