Courier Scam

How Does it Work?

The consumer will receive a call from someone purporting to be from the bank, who is informing you of fraudulent activity on your account or that your debit/credit card is about to expire.

The caller makes the consumer believe the call is genuine, by encouraging them to call back on the telephone number found on the back of their bank card. However, the caller doesn’t end the call. Therefore when the consumer enters the telephone number, it will connect back to the scam caller.

The consumer will be asked to cancel their card or authorise a new card, by typing their PIN number into the handset. Someone then calls to the house to collect the old card and often hand over a fake replacement bank card. Or a genuine courier is sent to collect an envelope from the consumer’s home with the bank card enclosed. At this point the scammer, has the consumer’s PIN number and bank card, and will proceed to spend the money in the account.

In some scenarios, the caller will claim to be from the Police rather than the bank.

Avoid Getting Caught Out

• Neither the bank or police would ring and collect your bank card from your home.
• Neither would ask a consumer to authorise anything by entering their PIN number into a handset
• Never share your PIN number with anyone.

If you are concerned you have the victim of a scam and want advice, contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.