Courier fraud: how to spot the scam that could cost you thousands

Imagine getting a phone call from the police telling you that your bank account has been compromised. They're investigating a fraud, they know your name and address, and they need your help to catch the criminals.

All you have to do is withdraw some money, or put your bank card in an envelope, and someone will come and collect it.

It might sound convincing, particularly if the person calling knows details about you. But there's a good chance the only criminal involved is the person on the phone.

This is courier fraud, a scam that's becoming increasingly sophisticated and costing victims thousands of pounds.

According to City of London Police, more than £21 million was lost to courier fraud in 2025, with reports rising by almost 10% compared with the previous year.

And while older people are being deliberately targeted, it's a scam everyone should know how to recognise.

What is courier fraud?

Courier fraud is a type of financial scam where criminals pretend to be from a trusted organisation, usually a bank or the police, to persuade you to hand over money, bank cards or valuables.

The scam typically begins with a phone call. Someone claims there's suspicious activity on your account, that your bank card has been compromised or that you're needed to assist with an investigation.

They then arrange for someone to collect your money, card or valuables, supposedly to keep them safe or use them as evidence.

In reality, the courier is collecting them for the criminals.

The fraud doesn't always involve someone coming to your door, either. You might be asked to post your bank card somewhere, purchase expensive goods or move your money to a supposedly secure account.

How does the courier scam work?

Courier fraud can take several forms, but most scams follow a similar pattern.

1. You receive an unexpected phone call

Someone contacts you claiming to be from your bank, the police or another trusted organisation.

They might already know your name, address or where you bank, making the conversation sound genuine.

They could even make the call appear to come from a legitimate telephone number using a technique called number spoofing.

2. They tell you something is wrong

The caller might claim:

• Someone has made a fraudulent payment using your bank card.

• Your account has been compromised by criminals.

• Corrupt bank employees are stealing customers' money.

• Police are investigating a criminal gang and need your help.

• Your bank card needs to be collected and replaced.

The aim is to make you worried enough to follow their instructions without questioning them.

3. They ask you to hand something over

Once they've gained your trust, the criminal might ask you to withdraw cash, provide your card and PIN, or purchase expensive items.

They'll then arrange for someone to collect everything, or give you instructions for sending it elsewhere.

Some fraudsters claim the money is needed as evidence and promise it will be returned once their investigation is complete.

Others tell victims to keep everything secret, supposedly because it's a confidential police operation.

4. Your money or valuables disappear

Once the criminals have your card, cash or valuables, they can steal your money or sell the goods.

And because the fraudsters may continue contacting victims over several days or weeks, they can sometimes persuade someone to hand over more than once.

The new courier scams involving gold and jewellery

It's not just bank cards that criminals are targeting.

Police have warned about an increasing number of scams involving expensive goods, including jewellery, gold and foreign currency.

Victims may be told to purchase these items as part of an undercover investigation, or that existing valuables need to be checked for evidence.

In November 2026, Suffolk Police reported four courier fraud incidents within 24 hours.

In one case, an elderly couple handed over £10,000 in foreign currency after receiving calls from criminals pretending to be Metropolitan Police detectives.

In another, a woman in her 70s was contacted by someone pretending to work for the Financial Conduct Authority alongside NatWest. The criminals arranged for her bank cards and jewellery to be collected.

These examples show how far scammers will go to make their stories believable.

Remember: the police, your bank and financial regulators will never ask you to buy expensive items or hand over valuables to help with a fraud investigation.

Seven warning signs of courier fraud

You don't need to know every variation of the scam to protect yourself. There are some clear warning signs worth remembering.

• An unexpected call about fraud on your account. Especially if the caller insists you need to act immediately.

• Someone asks for your PIN. Your bank or the police will never ask you to reveal your full PIN.

• You're told to withdraw money or buy valuables. Genuine fraud investigations don't require members of the public to do this.

• Someone offers to collect your bank card. No bank or police force will send a courier to collect your card for security reasons.

• You're asked to keep the conversation secret. Criminals don't want you checking their story with someone else.

• You're told to lie to your bank. This is an enormous red flag, particularly if you're asked to make an unusual withdrawal.

• The caller won't let you check independently. Anyone trying to rush you or stop you ending the call should immediately raise suspicion.

Even if the caller knows your personal details or appears to be calling from an official number, that doesn't prove they're genuine.

How to protect yourself from courier fraud

The most important thing to remember is that you don't have to make any financial decision during an unexpected phone call.

Hang up and check independently. If someone claims to be from your bank, contact the bank yourself using the number on the back of your card or through your banking app.

You can also call 159, a telephone service that connects customers of participating UK banks directly to their bank.

If you're using a landline, it's safer to use a different phone to call back. Criminals can sometimes keep the original line connected, meaning you think you've called your bank when you're still speaking to the scammer.

Don't give out your PIN, arrange a collection or transfer money because somebody has told you your account is at risk.

And talk to someone you trust if you're unsure. Scammers often rely on urgency and secrecy to stop people questioning what's happening.

What should you do if you've been caught by a courier scam?

If you've shared your bank details, handed over a card or given money to a courier, acting quickly could help prevent further losses.

Contact your bank immediately

Tell your bank exactly what's happened, even if you're not sure whether you've lost any money.

Ask it to block or cancel any compromised cards, secure your account and check for suspicious transactions.

If you've made a bank transfer, tell your bank that you believe it was fraudulent and ask it to investigate whether the money can be recovered.

Report the fraud

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you can report courier fraud through Report Fraud or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud in December 2025.

If you're in Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101.

If somebody is at your door and you feel threatened or in immediate danger, call 999.

Keep any evidence

Save messages, phone numbers, receipts, transaction information and any instructions the criminals gave you.

These details may help your bank or the police investigate what happened.

Watch out for follow-up scams

Be particularly careful if someone contacts you afterwards claiming they can recover your stolen money in exchange for a fee.

Criminals sometimes target people who have already been scammed, hoping to take even more money.

Can you get your money back after courier fraud?

You may be able to recover some or all of your money, but the protection available depends on how the criminals took it.

If you transferred money to a scammer: UK rules introduced in October 2024 provide reimbursement protections for many people tricked into making bank transfers through Faster Payments or CHAPS. Eligible claims can be covered up to £85,000, although exceptions apply.

If someone used your bank card without permission: Separate rules apply to unauthorised transactions. Your bank must investigate, and the fact that a PIN was used doesn't automatically prove you authorised a payment.

If you handed over cash, jewellery or other valuables: Recovering your losses may be more difficult. These aren't covered by the same mandatory bank transfer reimbursement rules, but you should still report the fraud immediately.

For more information about your rights, see the Financial Conduct Authority's guidance on fraudulent payments.

If you're unhappy with how your bank handles your claim, you can make a formal complaint and, if it's unresolved, may be able to take it to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

How can you protect an older relative from courier scams?

Courier fraud can happen to anyone, but police have warned that older people are being particularly heavily targeted.

Research published by TSB in May 2026 found that 89% of the victims in its analysis of higher-value courier fraud cases were aged 70 or over.

This makes sharing the warning signs with parents, grandparents, friends and neighbours particularly valuable.

You don't need to give someone a long lecture about fraud. One simple message could make all the difference:

If anyone claiming to be from your bank or the police asks you to hand over cash, cards or valuables, hang up and check with the organisation yourself.

It can also help to make sure relatives know how to contact their bank directly and feel comfortable discussing suspicious calls without worrying they'll be judged.

Is courier fraud the same as a parcel delivery scam?

No, although the names can be confusing.

A courier fraud scam usually involves someone pretending to represent a trusted organisation and persuading you to hand over money, cards or valuables.

A parcel delivery scam typically involves a fake text message or email claiming there's a problem delivering your parcel.

You might be asked to click a link to pay a small redelivery fee or provide personal information.

Both are designed to steal your money or financial details, but they work differently.

If you receive an unexpected delivery message, check your order or tracking details directly through the retailer or delivery company's official website rather than clicking the link.

The bottom line: your bank won't send someone to collect your money

Courier fraud works because criminals are very good at making their demands sound official. They create a problem, offer a convincing solution and then put pressure on you to follow their instructions.

But there's one thing worth remembering above everything else.

No genuine bank or police investigation will require you to hand your money, bank card, PIN or valuables to a courier.

If someone asks you to do it, end the conversation and check independently. Taking a few minutes to question the call could save you thousands of pounds.