Elderly individuals are increasingly being targeted by courier fraud scams, a trend reflected in recent fraud statistics and warnings from financial institutions. These scams often begin with a phone call from someone impersonating a police officer or bank representative, warning the victim about a supposed fraud risk and seeking their assistance in catching criminals.

In some cases, perpetrators have gone further by appearing at victims’ homes with counterfeit warrant cards to gain trust and extract money, valuables, or sensitive information. The defining characteristic of courier fraud involves a person arriving to collect the items or cash provided, after which they disappear without a trace. One reported incident described a victim remaining on the phone for guidance while traveling to London’s Hatton Garden, a location renowned for jewellery retailers, to purchase a luxury item such as a Rolex watch as part of the scam.

Data from Report Fraud highlights a nearly 10% increase in courier fraud reports, rising from 1,721 cases in 2024 to 1,891 in 2025. Correspondingly, financial losses reported in these scams grew from £19.5 million to over £21 million during the same period. Older adults, particularly those aged 70 and above, are disproportionately affected by this type of fraud.

Another variant emerged recently around Father’s Day, involving impersonation scams where fraudsters use messaging platforms like WhatsApp, text messages, or even AI-generated phone calls. These scammers pose as children requesting money transfers or payments. Chris Ainsley, head of fraud risk management at Santander UK, noted that fraudsters often exploit busy parents who may not scrutinize these requests carefully.

Beyond courier fraud, scammers have also exploited major events such as the World Cup and popular concerts. According to consumer information site Confused.com, ticket fraud led to losses exceeding £10.8 million in the past year in the UK. These scams typically involve fake, duplicated, or non-existent tickets. Industry analysis from UK Finance also revealed that payment fraud losses reached nearly £1.3 billion in 2025, marking a 4% increase from the previous year.

Authorities advise the public to remain vigilant and follow practical steps to avoid falling victim to courier fraud. Neither banks nor police officers will ask customers to transfer money to a "safe" account or send couriers to collect bank cards, cash, or valuables from their homes. Consumers are encouraged to contact their bank or the police directly using verified numbers and to disregard caller ID information as it can easily be manipulated.

Suspected scam calls can be reported by texting 7726 with the word “Call” followed by the caller’s number. Victims of fraud are advised to contact Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 for assistance.