Pensioners are being urged to stay on high alert after a sharp rise in so-called courier fraud, where criminals pose as banks or police and trick victims into handing over cards, PIN numbers and even cash. Higher-value courier fraud has surged with more cases in the first three months of this year than across 2025 in total, new research from TSB shows. The average loss in serious cases jumped to £15,500.
Fraudsters call victims pretending to be from their bank or the police, warning that accounts have been compromised.
They then persuade people to “secure” their money by handing over bank cards, revealing PINs, or posting items to an address. In some cases, criminals even send couriers to collect them in person.
The crime is aimed squarely at older people, with almost nine in 10 victims aged 70 or over. In one case, a victim in their 80s was told to post their card to an address in London “for security reasons”. Fraudsters then spent or withdrew £5,750. TSB refunded this but there is no guarantee that every bank will.
TSB fraud prevention expert George Hulland said scams are highly convincing. “Courier fraud is highly traumatic for victims, who can face scams that last for months, alongside intrusive visits to their home and even meeting fraudsters face-to-face.
Hulland said neither a bank nor the police will ever ask you to post or hand over your PIN, card or cash. “If you’re asked, it’s definitely a scam.”
Police warning that criminals rely on pressure and fear. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Thomas, of the City of London Police, said: “If something does not feel right, stop, take time, and contact your bank or the police independently before taking any action.”
Banks also recommend using the 159 hotline, which connects callers directly to their bank so they can check if it’s fraudulent.