Reminder to be vigilant following courier fraud attempt in the Cotswolds

Police are warning residents to be vigilant after a couple in the Cotswolds were targeted by a fraudster who claimed to be a police officer and tried to con them out of several hundred thousand pounds.

The couple, who are aged in their 50s and 60s, were called by a fraudster who claimed he was working for Hammersmith Police and had arrested a man who had the couple's bank cards in his possession.

On this occasion the victims did not transfer any money as they contacted police directly to check if the call was legitimate however officers believe other people in the county could now be targeted.

It followed a similar pattern to other fraud attempts around the UK, in which fraudsters claim to be police officers, and claim that either a person has been arrested for fraudulently using their bank cards or because fraudulent activity has been detected on their accounts.

Fraudsters will often ask the victim to hang up and dial 999 to confirm they are speaking to a legitimate police officer. However, this is part of the scam as the phone line is kept open and the victim ends up talking to another fraudster who is also involved in the con. 

In this type of scam victims are asked to withdraw cash, which would then be collected by a fake police courier on the victim's doorstep, at another agreed location, or asked to send it to an address via post. Others are instructed to transfer funds into a fake police bank account.

Fraudsters are often manipulative and victims are often told to not tell their friends or family that they are "helping" with an investigation.

Officers are now urging people to warn their elderly or vulnerable relatives and friends about this type of fraud.

• If you believe you are being targeted by a scammer hang up the phone and use a different phone line to call Report Fraud or the police, as scammers have a way to stay on the line and will pretend to be the police when you call back
• If you don't have access to a different phone line, wait for a period of time, at least 10 minutes, and try calling a family member or friend first to make sure the scammer is no longer on the line.
• Neither police nor bank officials will ever ask you to withdraw money from your account, purchase anything or hand over your personal details or passwords
• Just because someone knows basic details about you like your name, address or date of birth, it doesn't mean they are genuine bank or police employees
• Always question suspicious phone calls and report them to Report Fraud or the police.

For further advice on keeping yourself safe from fraud, visit the Constabulary's website: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/

Fraud cases can be reported to Report Fraud online: https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/.  Anyone who finds themselves in immediate danger should call 999. 

Victims of fraud looking for help can find more information on Victim Support's website: https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/crime-info/types-crime/fraud/