Phone scams have been around for some time, but one type in particular seems to be on the increase.

This particular fraud is known as courier fraud and often targets the elderly and vulnerable. It is normally made on landline phones, as the criminal can hold the line open.

The victim receives a phone call from fraudsters who say they are from their bank or the police.

It could be that they tell the victim that they are calling because there has been suspicious activity on their account and advise them to call the bank from the number on the back of their card, which helps the victim to believe the call is genuine. In these circumstances, either the number provided will not be genuine or, where a genuine number is suggested, when the victims hangs up the fraudster will stay on the line and pass the victim to a different individual, claiming to be from the bank.

Sometimes the fraudster states that they are the police and that a family member has been arrested due to fraudulent use of the victim’s credit cards.

The fraudsters use different stories, sometimes it is:‘Money has been removed from the victim’s bank account and staff at their local bank branch are responsible’. It could be ‘Suspects have already been arrested, but the ‘police’ need the victim’s credit card details or the money withdrawn to evidence that it is counterfeit’.

The aim is always to get the victim to either part with their credit card details, or possibly to get them to withdraw money and have it picked up by courier (courier fraud).

DC Gareth Jordan from Dyfed-Powys Police’s Economic Crime Team said: “The long term impact upon victims from this type of crime can be significant both financially and psychologically.

“Whilst many fraud offences have a similar impact, there is a potentially a more sinister aspect to courier fraud in that victims could come face to face with the criminals targeting them, during which time there is a significant threat to the health and wellbeing of victims, members of the public and potentially the Police Officers responding to a call for help.”

Dyfed-Powyse Police is reminding residents of the most important things to remember:

  • The police will not phone you and ask you to convey details of your debit or credit card
  • The police will not contact you to tell you your debit or credit card has been cloned.
  • The police, or your bank, will never ask you to withdraw money or transfer it to a different account
  • They will also never ask you to reveal your full banking password or PIN
  • It’s OK to hang up and gather your thoughts, then phone a family member or friend (to make sure the line has cleared) and then report to police.