Victims lose £435,000 to courier fraud in West Midlands

Courier fraud has cost victims in the West Midlands a staggering £435,000 over the past year, prompting a nationwide campaign to raise awareness and combat the rising threat.

Data from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), run by the City of London Police, reveals that 1,797 reports of courier fraud were received nationally in the last financial year, with an average loss per victim of just over £12,000.

The City of London Police, the national lead force for fraud, has launched a targeted intensification in in a concerted crackdown on courier fraud that has cost victims more than £21 million over the past financial year.

In the West Midlands Police alone, 92 cases of courier fraud were recorded where unsuspecting victims lost an average of over £4,700 each.

Courier fraud is a sophisticated type of scam in which fraudsters impersonate police officers or bank officials. They typically call their victims, often elderly or vulnerable individuals, and convince them that their bank account is compromised.

The victim is then urged to hand over their debit card, cash, or valuables to a so-called “courier,” sent by the criminal, under the false pretext of safeguarding their assets or assisting in an investigation.

These criminals frequently use spoofed phone numbers and play on fear, urgency, and trust to manipulate and coerce their targets.

Khatija Nichols from our Economic Crime Unit said: “Courier fraud is a cruel and calculated crime. It preys on trust, often targeting people in their most vulnerable moments. Scammers pose as police officers and bank workers and use urgency and fear to trick victims into handing over bank cards, PINs, cash, or personal valuables.

“Remember, you always have the right to pause, to question, and to verify. No legitimate organisation will ever ask you to give personal financial information or send someone to collect your belongings without prior, official arrangements. If you're unsure, hang up the phone, shut the door, and reach out through trusted, official channels.

“Staying safe starts with staying informed. We urge people to talk with their elderly family members and neighbours about courier fraud. A simple conversation today could prevent a devastating scam tomorrow."

To stay safe and protect yourself:

Your bank or the police will never call you to ask you to verify your personal details or PIN by phone, or offer to pick up your card by courier.

Hang up, wait a few minutes and call your bank on a number you know to be genuine, such as the one on the back of your card, or by calling 159.

The police or your bank will not contact you out of the blue to participate in an investigation, or send a courier to your home to collect bank cards, cash, or other valuable items. Any requests to do so are a scam.

Don’t trust Caller ID display on your phone – it’s not proof of ID.

Remember, staying cautious and sceptical can go a long way in protecting yourself from courier fraud. Take the time to verify information, seek advice from trusted sources, and never rush into making financial decisions under pressure.

If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

If you ever feel at immediate risk or suspect that a fraudster may be heading to your home now, dial 999 and report it to the police right away.

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