'Concerning rise' in courier fraud targeting elderly in Petersfield

Courier fraud is when criminals target potential victims, pretending to be police officers, a bank or another law enforcement authority.

A "concerning rise" in courier fraud in Petersfield has prompted police to put out a warning.

Officers say between Thursday 28 August and Thursday 11 September, at least six elderly victims in the East Hampshire market town have been targeted and have lost, on average, £6,000 each.

Courier fraud is when criminals target potential victims, often those who are elderly or vulnerable members of the community, by cold calling them and pretending to be police officers, a bank or another law enforcement authority.

The caller will explain that they need the victim’s help in a secret investigation that they are running and once ‘trust’ has been established, they ask the victim to provide their PIN and credit card details, or to attend their bank and withdraw thousands of pounds in cash.

The bank cards or cash are later collected from their home address by a courier, who is part of the criminal group.

Often, the victim will be given a ‘password’ to exchange with the courier, to make them believe this is a legitimate and secure transaction.

Sadly, police say, this money will then often be lost to the fraudsters.

At least six elderly victims have been targeted in Petersfield in two weeks.

In a recent spate of incidents, Bedford Road, Noreuil Road, The Spain, Heath Road and Wetherdown have all been visited by criminals pretending to be couriers appointed by the ‘police’.

Officers are advising that, when answering the phone to a stranger, people take a few minutes to think about what they are being asked.

Police say, if the caller asks for bank cards/details, cash, jewellery, watches or gold to be handed over, or for you to transfer money from your bank account and into another ‘safe’ bank account, then Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary are 100 per cent confident that this is a fake call which should be terminated immediately.

Victims may be asked to call their bank using the phone number on the back of their card, or to hang up and call 101 or 999 to verify an officer’s identity. This convinces you that the call is genuine, but the scammer has kept the line open at their end, so when the call is made, you are unknowingly connected straight back to them or their friends.

If you receive a call like this, officers recommend waiting 15 minutes after hanging up before calling the police or your bank, or use a different phone, to ensure that the line is no longer open.

Police say they are aware that not everyone reads social media, but if you have elderly or vulnerable members of your family then please share this information and give the following advice:-

  • Your bank or the police will never ring you to tell you they are coming to your home to pick up money or your card.

  • Never hand these over to anyone who comes to collect it.

  • Criminals are experts at impersonating banks, trusted organisations or the police.

  • They will try to rush and panic you into responding to their requests. It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore these requests.

For general fraud prevention advice people can visit Action Fraud.

Anyone who thinks they may have been a victim of courier fraud, or have received a call of this nature, is asked to report it to police online or by calling 101.

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