Courier Fraud Losses Rise in Berkshire

Thames Valley Police have reported a significant rise in courier fraud losses in the Berkshire area, with criminals using convincing SMS and email messages to urge recipients to click a link, leading to a fake website designed to steal personal and banking details.

Victims are then contacted by a caller spoofing a bank or the police, and persuaded to hand over bank cards, PINs, cash, foreign currency, or high-value items to a courier for “examination” or to transfer funds to a so-called “safe account”.

Detective Inspector Duncan Wynn, Head of Central Fraud Unit at Thames Valley Police, said:

Courier fraudsters are exploiting phishing texts and emails to harvest personal and banking details before calling victims while pretending to be police/bank asking for assistance with an investigation. Share this advice with relatives and neighbours – your pause and scepticism can stop a scam at the front door.

Fraudsters prey on creating pressure which is designed to make you act quickly but Stop! Think Fraud empowers us to collectively join together to help stop fraud in its tracks.

If you’ve lost money or provided your financial information to someone, notify your bank immediately and report it to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101. Emotional and further practical support is available from Victims First who may be contacted on 0300 1234 148, or via Victims First Online Referral Form or Live Chat.

Source: Thames Valley Alert