Staffordshire Police have issued an urgent warning to residents across the Cannock district this Sunday following a spike in reported “delivery” scams. Fraudsters are reportedly sending highly sophisticated text messages and emails that appear to be from reputable couriers, claiming a parcel is being held due to an “unpaid shipping fee.”
The scam primarily targets elderly and vulnerable residents who may be expecting deliveries from weekend online shopping. Once the victim clicks the link, they are directed to a realistic-looking website that asks for bank details to pay a small “redelivery fee.” Within minutes, the fraudsters use these details to attempt large, unauthorized transactions.
Police are advising residents to never click on links in unsolicited messages. “Real delivery companies will never ask for bank details via a text message link,” a spokesperson said this morning. They are encouraging family members to check in on their elderly relatives today and discuss these common tactics.
The Cybercrime Unit is currently tracking several IP addresses linked to these messages, but many originate from overseas, making enforcement difficult. The best defense remains education and caution. If you suspect you have been targeted, you are urged to report it to Action Fraud immediately. Local bank branches in Cannock have also been alerted to keep an eye out for unusual withdrawal patterns among their more vulnerable customers.
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Are banks doing enough to protect elderly customers from online and text-based fraud?
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