AN ONGOING spate of scams in Rugby has prompted an urge for caution from Rugby Borough Council.
Fraudsters are trying to convince residents to hand over their bank cards along with their PIN numbers, often posing as bank staff or police officers.
Three such incidents took place in Rugby in the space of a week.
Rugby Borough Council has joined Warwickshire Police in warning residents of the rise in scam calls, which typically target elderly and vulnerable adults.
David Burrows, Rugby Borough Council’s assistant director for regulation and safety, said: “Organisations such as the police or banks will never ask you to provide your bank card or PIN number. If you receive a call like this, end the call as soon as possible and report it to the police.
“Rugby Borough Council has contacted licensed taxi drivers in the borough to raise concerns about bookings where they are asked to attend a location to collect an envelope or small parcel from residents.”
Typical courier scam calls begin with a fraudster claiming to be from the police or from a bank.
Victims are then asked to hang up and ring back on what appears to be an official number.
However, the scammer stays on the line and then asks for the victim’s personal account information.
Fraudsters sometimes arrange for a taxi or courier service to visit the victim’s home to collect their bank card. Once this happens, the offender has full access to the victim’s account.
Warwickshire Police’s Cybercrime and Fraud Coordinator James Squire said: “Over the years I’ve had former architects, nurses and successful businesspeople break down in tears in front of me because of these scammers.
“What’s more unusual is that the reports are coming from clusters of roads. We think criminals have got hold of a marketing list and they’re targeting people born before 1960.”
Anyone who believes they have been targeted or a victim of a courier scam should report it to Warwickshire Police by calling 101 as soon as possible.
