Courier fraud warning issued after incidents in Lancaster and Carnforth

Police are warning people in Lancaster and Carnforth to stay alert after a number of reports of courier fraud in the area over the past month.

Officers received a report that a woman in her 70s had been the victim of a courier fraud scam.

The woman initially received an email on 13th September from an address purporting to be TV Licensing, with a link asking her to input her card details.

She followed the link and began entering her details, before querying the email with TV Licensing, who confirmed it was a scam. The woman then blocked her card.

On 23rd September, the woman received a text message from someone calling himself Bradley, who claimed to work for the Financial Conduct Authority.

Over the following days, the number remained in contact with her, encouraging her to speak to her bank and unblock her card so payments could be made and criminals could be caught, police said.

The fraudster told her there were undercover officers in Manchester tracking down suspects, and claimed he was working closely with police to catch criminals.

A taxi later arrived at the woman's address, where her bank card was collected.

The woman reported the incident to police, and enquiries are ongoing. A significant sum has been taken from her accounts.

In a separate incident on 28th August, police received a report that a man in his 80s had been contacted by someone claiming to be from the Barclays fraud team.

The caller convinced the victim that his bank details had been compromised and that urgent action was needed, before asking him to hand over his bank cards.

The fraudsters then ordered a taxi to the victim's address.

The taxi driver became suspicious when the victim only gave him bank cards, and instead of taking them to the requested address, took them to a police station and handed them in.

The victim reported the incident to police and his bank, and no money was taken.

Enquiries into both reports are ongoing, police said.

Lancashire Police is urging people to share the following advice with family, friends and neighbours.

People are warned that just because someone knows their full name and address does not mean they are who they say they are.

Banks and police will never call and ask for personal information, including bank details or PIN numbers, and will never offer to collect bank cards or items from someone's address, police said.

Anyone in doubt about a phone call should hang up, then use a different phone or wait 20 minutes before calling police, Report Fraud or their bank, as fraudsters may keep the line open waiting for them to use the phone.

People can install call blockers or register with a telephone preference service to stop unsolicited calls, with help available from their telephone provider.

Anyone who feels worried or concerned about a call is urged to tell police or someone they trust.

Anyone who believes they or someone they know may have been a victim of fraud can report it to police on 101, or to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040.