Recent data has revealed that more than £252,000 was lost to courier fraud over the last year in Wiltshire alone - a staggering £28.7 million across the UK.
Statistics collated by Action Fraud show that people in their 80's are most likely to be targeted by criminals carrying out courier fraud with 43% of all victims being in this age bracket.
With this in mind, Wiltshire Police have issued an appeal to pensioners to remain vigilant.
Courier fraud occurs when someone pretending to be a police officer or bank official dupes someone into handing over money, bank cards and other valuables, which are collected from their home address, often by couriers.
Criminals will use a variety of tactics to achieve this, often they claim there is a problem with the bank account and they need the victim's help to catch the 'real criminals'.
The victim may also be encouraged to had over bank cards and PINs, and any high value items such as jewellery, watches and gold. There have been instances where the victims are coerced into going out and buying high value items from legitimate retailers on behalf of the criminals.
Of all national reports made, 63 per cent of victims were female and 37 per cent were male, with an average loss per victim of £20,032.
Detective Constable Fraud Protect Officer, Rachel Davies, explains: "We're seeing consistent cases of courier fraud around the county in a variety of locations and unfortunately the victims are often elderly. This is such a nasty crime which can have devastating psychological effects and significant financial loss.
"Many victims live alone and suffer age-related illnesses, so we'd like families, friends and neighbours to keep vigilant and help protect any vulnerable people in their lives. Fraudsters prey on elderly people by cold calling landlines or posing as police officers and bank officials. We need to get the message out - we'd never cold call or ask anyone to share bank details or move assets to aid investigations or for any othe reason."
If you or someone you know is being asked to withdraw money by the bank or the police, report it immediately by calling 999 or online at www.wiltshire.police.uk
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
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