West Midlands Police have issued a CCTV appeal after a man was tricked into handing over his bank cards to individuals posing as secure couriers from his bank. The suspects subsequently spent over £3,000 on goods, including an iPhone, and made cash withdrawals in Birmingham city centre.
Details of the Fraud
The victim innocently handed his cards over to what he believed were secure couriers sent by his bank. However, the individuals used the cards to make purchases and withdrawals totalling more than £3,000. Police have released images of two men they want to speak to in connection with the incident.
West Midlands Police stated: "Do you recognise these two? We want to speak with them in connection with a fraud investigation where a man was fraudulently convinced to hand over his bank cards. The man innocently handed his cards over to what he thought was a secure courier from his bank. However, the people he handed them over to went on to spend over £3,000 on goods in Birmingham city centre, where an iPhone was bought and cash withdrawals were made."
How to Help the Investigation
Anyone with information is urged to contact West Midlands Police via Live Chat on their website or by calling 101, quoting crime reference number 20/236153/26.
Police Tips to Avoid Courier Fraud
West Midlands Police have issued advice to help the public stay safe from courier fraud:
- If someone knocks at your front door claiming to be from a company, first check their ID. If you’re not happy, don’t let them in.
- Never call the phone number on a salesperson's ID card to check them out. Ask them to wait outside, shut the door and find the company number on the internet. If they’re genuine, they’ll understand.
- Banks and the police will never call you to verify your PIN. They won’t ask you to withdraw money or buy or send items on their behalf for investigations. Hang up if you get a call like this.
- Always verify suspicious calls by contacting the organisation using a trusted phone number. Calling 159 will put you through to your bank. If calling back from a landline after a suspicious call, wait a few minutes as criminals may stay on the line after you hang up. Alternatively, use a different phone line to call your bank.
- Never transfer money or make purchases on behalf of someone you don’t know.
- If it's an emergency, call the police on 999.
- Report suspicious activity to Report Fraud, the UK’s national cyber crime and fraud reporting service.
