UK households aged over 65 warned over phone call that'll empty bank account

UK households aged over 65 warned over phone call that'll empty bank accountThe scam often targets vulnerable people and starts with a call from someone posing as police or a bank

official.NewsChristian Abbott Audience Writer06:33, 02 Jun 2025UK households aged over 65 warned over phone call that'll empty bank account UK police have raised the alarm over courier

fraud. The scam often targets vulnerable people and starts with a call from someone posing as police or a bank official.

Courier fraud is when criminals convince you that you are required to hand over money or your debit/credit card for a legitimate reason to someone who will pick it up.

‌ The Met revealed this week that it had arrested 18 people, and had recovered £250,000 and hundreds of bank cards as part of a two-month crackdown. The London force said criminals often

targeted vulnerable members of the public, particularly older people, with 80% of victims aged over 65.

‌ READ MORE Smart motorways could be scrapped from England entirely

It occurs when a fraudster contacts victims by telephone purporting to be a police officer or bank official. To substantiate this claim, the caller might be able to confirm some easily

obtainable basic details about the victim such as their full name and address.

Article continues below The caller may also offer a telephone number for the victim to telephone or ask the victim to call the number on the back of their bank card to check that they are

genuine.

In these circumstances, either the number offered will not be genuine or, where a genuine number is suggested, the fraudster will stay on the line and pass the victim to a different

individual.

Action Fraud warned: "Your bank or the police will never call you to ask you to verify your personal details or PIN by phone or offer to pick up your card by courier. Hang up if you get a

call like this.

Article continues below "If you need to call your bank back to check, wait five minutes; fraudsters may stay on the line after you hang up. Alternatively, use a different line altogether to

call your bank.

"Your debit or credit card is yours – don’t let a stranger take it off you. You should only ever have to hand it over at your bank. If it’s cancelled, you should destroy it yourself."