Increase in Fraud Attempts in the area

Good morning,

Kent Police have noticed an uplift in Courier Fraud attempts in the area - Courier fraud is when someone contacts you by phone impersonating trusted authorities such as police officers or bank officials. They may on occassion do this in person.

They do this to trick you into handing over cash or your bank cards to them, or to a courier. Sometimes they trick victims into purchasing and handing over other expensive items, such as jewellery. The courier may not know they’re being used as part of the crime.

It’s important to know that if this has happened to you, it’s not your fault and that there’s support for you.

Examples of courier fraud

• A criminal calls you saying there is a problem with your bank account and gets you to tell them your bank card PIN. They might say there’s a fraudulent payment on your card or that someone has been arrested using your details. They then tell you that a courier will pick up your bank card, so that it can be cancelled. With your card and PIN, they can now use your card.

• A criminal may convince you that there is an investigation where they need you to withdraw cash or buy expensive items. This could be foreign or crypto currency, gold bullion, jewellery, mobile phones or designer goods. They tell you this is required so that they can identify the corrupt person. The criminal may pose as a police officer.
  Once you’ve bought the items or withdrawn the cash, they’ll ask you to give it to a courier, or post it to an address, claiming they’ll transfer it to the police. They'll then take the money or goods.

• A fraudster may also say that your bank account has been taken over and that you need to transfer your money to a new 'safe' account. The new account is operated by the criminals, who then steal the funds.
  
  Key things to remember:

  Police:
  No Police Officer will ever ask you for money or your card details. If anyone identifies themselves as a police officer do the following:
  - Ask for their Force number, surname and their Police force - Force numbers vary across different forces but Kent Police will always be 460 followed by a 5 digit number. Also ask for a contact number for the person you are talking to.

  - Once you have these, call 101 and ask to do an “Officer Verification Check” - this will allow our control room to confirm you have spoken to a real police officer, who will be contacted by the control room. 
   

  Banks:
  - Banks will not ask for your bank details or PIN number, and will never tell you to transfer money between accounts. If someone claims to be from a bank, hang up immediately and call your bank - they will confirm if the call was genuine and check your account.
   

  Reporting:
  If you think you or someone you know has been a victim of Fraud of any kind, you can make a report to the national Fraud service, REPORT FRAUD, using the link below. Once reported, there is no need for members of the public to contact the police as Report Fraud will keep them up-to-date.

   

      - Members of the public can submit a report of fraud via the Report Fraud website or by phoning 0300 123 2040.  

      - Both methods will generate a police reference number. 
   

  People at risk:
  - If you believe you or someone you know is vulnerable and at risk of Fraud, please contact police via 101 or online to request a “TrueCall” box. This is a small box plugged into a landline phone that can screen suspected fraud callers.