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15:31 20/09/2021
Police are warning residents to be vigilant after a rise in courier fraud in Surrey, especially among vulnerable victims.
The warning comes as a new national social media campaign is launched by Action Fraud with victims nationwide reporting a total loss of over £10 million so far this year.
Since the start of the year, there have been 322 reports made to Surrey Police about courier fraud. Most of the victims have been women over the age of 75.
Courier fraud is when a fraudster contacts the victim over the phone and pretends to be either a police officer or bank official. The fraudster may seem especially convincing as they are sometimes able to confirm basic personal details like the full name or address of the victim.
Of the 322 reports made to Surrey Police this year, 123 victims unfortunately suffered an average loss of £10,319. The staggering combined loss of all of the victims was £1,210,000.
The majority of victims had their bank cards used or collected, used bank transfer or handed over cash sums to the fraudsters.
One victim aged 86, received a call on her landline from a person telling her that they were a police officer from Hammersmith Police. She was instructed to withdraw £4,800 but fortunately when she attended her bank to do this, the bank staff recognised the signs of fraud and no loss was incurred.
Another victim, 70, received a call from someone claiming to be a detective with Hammersmith Police who was investigating her card being cloned in a store on Regents Street, London. Fortunately the victim thought that this did not add up and did not hand over any personal details to the fraudster.
Local officers have responded to the reports mentioned here and provided support to victims.
To protect yourself or someone you know from becoming a victim of fraud, consider the following key tips:
Please pass this advice onto your loved ones, particularly those who are elderly or vulnerable.
If you or someone you know is vulnerable and has been a victim of fraud call: