Courier Fraud: The Phone Scam That's Costing UK Seniors Thousands

You're at home on a quiet afternoon when the phone rings. The caller says they're from your bank — or perhaps the police. They tell you there's been suspicious activity on your account. They sound authoritative, concerned, professional. They say you need to act quickly.

This is courier fraud. And in 2026, it has become one of the most financially devastating scams targeting older people in the UK.

What is courier fraud?

Courier fraud happens when a criminal phones you pretending to be from your bank, the police, or a government department. They claim your account has been compromised — and that for your protection, you must transfer your money to a "safe account" immediately.

Some fraudsters go even further. They may send someone to your home to collect your bank card, saying the bank needs to "investigate" it. They may stay on the phone with you the whole time to make sure you comply.

It sounds unbelievable. But the callers are highly trained, deeply convincing, and target older adults specifically because they tend to trust authority figures more readily.

How serious is it?

Very. According to figures from TSB, higher-value courier fraud losses in the first three months of 2026 were already 116% higher than in the whole of 2025. The typical victim is aged 70 or over. Average losses exceed £15,000 per person — and some victims lose their entire savings.

The warning signs

These are the phrases fraudsters commonly use. If you hear any of them, treat the call as suspicious immediately:

• "Your account has been compromised"

• "We need to move your money to a safe account for protection"

• "Don't tell anyone about this call — it could compromise the investigation"

• "We're sending someone to collect your card"

• "Press 1 to confirm your details"

What your bank and the police will NEVER do

This is the most important thing to know — and worth reading twice.

• Your bank will never ask you to transfer money to a "safe account"

• Your bank will never ask for your full PIN or password

• The police will never call and ask you to hand over cash or your bank card

• No official body will ever pressure you to act immediately without giving you time to check

What to do if you get one of these calls

1. Hang up — even if they seem genuine and even if you're worried about being rude

2. Wait five minutes before calling anyone (fraudsters sometimes stay on the line)

3. Call your bank using the number printed on the back of your card — not the number the caller gave you

4. If you think someone is in danger, call 999

5. Report it to Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040 or actionfraud.police.uk

What if you've already been targeted?

If you think you've been a victim — don't feel ashamed. These scammers are professionals. Contact your bank immediately using the number on the back of your card. Banks are required to investigate and in many cases can recover funds, especially if you act quickly.

Share this with someone you care about

Courier fraud thrives because victims don't know it exists until it's too late. The best protection is awareness. If you have an older relative or neighbour, please share this guide with them — it might make all the difference.

For more plain-English guides to staying safe online and on the phone, visit softwareforseniors.co.uk.

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