Four reports of courier fraud in South Norfolk

Police are urging residents to be vigilant following a number of telephone scams in South Norfolk yesterday.

Officers have received four separate reports from residents who have been contacted by fraudsters purporting to be police officers. During the calls they were encouraged to withdraw/transfer large amounts of money from their bank. Unfortunately, one attempt was successful and the victim has lost £4,000.

The incidents happened in Diss, Wymondham, Framingham Earl and Aplington.

Courier Fraud happens when a fraudster contacts a victim by telephone claiming to be a police officer, bank or from a government department, among other agencies. A number of techniques will then be adopted in order to convince the victim to hand over their bank details or cash, which may then be passed on to a courier.

Residents are reminded that your bank or the police will NEVER ask you to withdraw/send money or purchase items.

 

Further advice includes: 

• Your bank or the police will NEVER ask for your PIN, bank card or bank account details over the phone – never give these details to anybody.
• Neither the police nor the banks will send a courier to collect money from you.
• Always request Photo ID and if unsure call the police.
• If you're asked to telephone a bank, always do it on a different phone to the one you were contacted on.
• Fraudsters will keep the line open and have been known to play ringtones, hold music and a recorded message down the phone so the victim believes they are making a call to a legitimate number. Make sure you have hung up from the original call and you can hear a dialling tone before calling police or use a friend or neighbour's telephone instead.
• Do not rush into complying to the scammers demands / requests.
• If you have already given your bank details over the phone or handed your card details to a courier, call you bank straight away to cancel the card.

 

Officers are keen for residents to share these messages with members of their local community and also to ensure they contact family and friends, particularly elderly relatives to ensure they are aware of these scams and the warning signs.

If anyone has received a similar type of telephone call or has any information about these incidents. Contact Norfolk Police on 101 quoting Operation Radium or the crime numbers.

Alternatively, Contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.