Pensioners are being pulled into courier fraud that appears like a financial institution calling to guard them but it surely leaves households gazing sudden, sickening losses.
Pensioners are being focused by a brand new rip-off (Picture: Getty)
Pensioners are being urged to remain on excessive alert after a pointy rise in so-called courier fraud, the place criminals pose as banks or police and trick victims into handing over playing cards, PIN numbers and even money. Greater-value courier fraud has surged with extra circumstances within the first three months of this yr than throughout 2025 in whole, new analysis from TSB exhibits. The common loss in severe circumstances jumped to £15,500.
Fraudsters name victims pretending to be from their financial institution or the police, warning that accounts have been compromised.
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They then persuade folks to “safe” their cash by handing over financial institution playing cards, revealing PINs, or posting objects to an tackle. In some circumstances, criminals even ship couriers to gather them in particular person.
Learn extra: State pensioners hit with £5,750 warning
The crime is aimed squarely at older folks, with virtually 9 in 10 victims aged 70 or over. In a single case, a sufferer of their 80s was instructed to put up their card to an tackle in London “for safety causes”. Fraudsters then spent or withdrew £5,750. TSB refunded this however there isn’t any assure that each financial institution will.
TSB fraud prevention skilled George Hulland stated scams are extremely convincing. “Courier fraud is extremely traumatic for victims, who can face scams that final for months, alongside intrusive visits to their house and even assembly fraudsters face-to-face.
Hulland stated neither a financial institution nor the police will ever ask you to put up or hand over your PIN, card or money. “When you’re requested, it’s positively a rip-off.”
Police warning that criminals depend on stress and concern. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Thomas, of the Metropolis of London Police, stated: “If one thing doesn’t really feel proper, cease, take time, and make contact with your financial institution or the police independently earlier than taking any motion.”
Banks additionally advocate utilizing the 159 hotline, which connects callers on to their financial institution to allow them to verify if it’s fraudulent.
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