Police are urging residents in Staffordshire to stay vigilant after reports of a new courier scam doing the rounds.

Officers say they have been alerted by residents across the county saying they have received calls asking them to leave their bank cards outside their front doors to be collected.

The scam works by the fraudster claiming to be a police officer or from the bank and telling the intended victim there have been fraudulent payments made from their accounts.

How does the scam work?

There are many variations of the scam, but it usually follows this method:

• A fraudster will cold-call you on a landline, claiming to be from your bank or the police. They state their systems have spotted a fraudulent payment on your card or it is due to expire and needs to be replaced.



• In order to reassure you that they are genuine, they suggest that you hang up and ring the bank/police back straight away. However, they don't disconnect the call from the landline so that when you dial the real phone number, you are actually still speaking to the fraudster.

• They then ask you to read out your PIN or type it on your phone keypad. They may ask for details of other accounts you hold with the bank or financial service provider, or ask you to verify details of your last transaction.



• Finally, they send a courier to you to collect your bank card. The fraudster will have then obtained your name, address, full bank details, card and PIN.

If you receive one of these calls end it immediately, and do not engage with anyone who calls to collect your card or PIN.

Be wary of this scam


How to protect yourself against courier fraud:

  • • Your bank will never send a courier to your home

    • Your bank and the police will never collect your bank card

    • Your bank and the police will never ask for your PIN


To report fraud, phone Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Visit the action fraud website for more information and advice at www.actionfraud.police.uk