Police in the Midlands have issued a warning about new methods being used by fraudsters to con victims out of their money. In a weekly update, West Mercia Police's economic crime unit highlighted that scammers often call posing as a bank or police officer to obtain two critical pieces of information: the victim's card and PIN.
"Once they have your card and your PIN, they then have access to your money," the unit warned. Courier fraud remains a common tactic, and the force urged the public to stay alert and recognize this method frequently used to defraud unsuspecting victims.
How Courier Fraud Works
Courier fraud typically begins with a phone call from a scammer claiming to be a police officer, bank official, or other law enforcement representative. The caller may already have basic details about the victim, such as their full name and address, which are easily obtainable. They then work to build trust before proceeding with their scheme.
Targeting the Elderly
The fraudsters aim to get victims to reveal their PIN, credit or debit card, and bank details. They often target the elderly as potential victims. The scammers may claim a fraudulent payment needs to be dealt with or that someone has been arrested using the victim's details and cards.
Recognizing the Scam
Victims may be asked to call their bank back using the number on the back of their card to make the call seem genuine. However, the scammer keeps the line open, so the victim remains connected to them. Police advise waiting at least five minutes for the line to clear or using another phone, as fraudsters now use recordings of dial tones to deceive victims.
Victims should never be asked for their PIN or to key it into the phone. The caller may then send a courier to pick up the card, often providing a "password" to make the process appear more legitimate.
West Mercia Police urge anyone who suspects they have been targeted to contact them immediately. The public is reminded to remain vigilant and never share personal banking details over the phone.
