Courier Fraud & Impersonation Scams on the Rise: UK Warning

This week, police forces across the UK are reporting a worrying rise in courier fraud, while new data shows impersonation scams are costing victims more than ever. Here’s what’s happening, how to protect your family, and how to check any suspicious contact with our free Scam Checker.

Courier Fraud: The Fake Police Officer Call

In Suffolk and Warwickshire, police have issued urgent warnings after a spike in courier fraud. In this scam, someone phones you pretending to be from your bank or the police. They claim there’s been suspicious activity on your account, or that a criminal is using your card. They then ask you to hand over your bank card, PIN, or even cash to a ‘courier’ who arrives at your door moments later.

What to do: Real banks or police will never send someone to collect your card or cash. If you get such a call, hang up immediately. Wait at least five minutes before making any other call, as scammers can stay on the line. Then contact your bank using the number on the back of your card or call 101 to report it to the police.

Impersonation Scams: Losses Up 10% in a Year

Lloyds Bank reports that the average loss to impersonation scams – where criminals pose as your bank, a utility company, or even a family member – has risen by 10% in the past year. These scammers often use spoofed phone numbers or emails that look genuine, creating a sense of urgency to make you act quickly.

What to do: Always pause and verify. If someone calls or emails asking for personal details or payments, hang up or close the message. Contact the company directly using official contact details from their website, not the ones provided in the message.

Parking Ticket Text Scams: A Holiday Nightmare

A visitor to a beautiful Welsh beach was conned out of £500 after receiving a text message about an unpaid parking fine. The scam text included a link to a fake payment page, which looked just like the official parking service. With many families heading to the coast for the last days of summer, this is a timely reminder to be careful with parking payments.

What to do: Never click on links in unsolicited text messages. If you’re worried about a parking fine, check your vehicle’s windscreen or use the official parking app or website you used before. Real fines are never sent by text alone.

Job Interview Scams: A Growing Concern

A BBC report this week highlighted how one person lost their life savings to a job interview scam. Criminals are posing as employers, conducting fake interviews, and then asking for bank details or ‘admin fees’ to secure a position. A separate report notes that North Korean fraudsters are expanding beyond IT into healthcare and sales roles.

What to do: Be wary of any job offer that requires upfront payment or asks for your bank details before you’ve even met someone in person. Legitimate employers never ask for money as part of an interview process. Always research the company independently and use official contact channels.

The Bottom Line

Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, but the same old rules protect you: never share personal or financial details with unexpected callers, never pay for something you didn’t initiate, and always verify through official channels. If you think you’ve been scammed, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud. Not sure what you’re dealing with? See the common UK scams database or our courier fraud guide.