Parcel text swindles are on the rise in Cardiff, warn crime experts
A CARDIFF University student was scammed out of £1,800 after receiving a text purporting to be from courier Hermes about an undelivered parcel.
On November 30 he received the fake message saying: “Hermes: We’re sorry that we missed your delivery on 29/11. Visit my-hermes-track-delivery.com for a redelivery. Your item will return to sender if not completed.”
“I was waiting for a parcel from home in China at the time so it really convinced me that I was in contact with Hermes,” said the student, who has asked to note be named.
The 25-year-old filled in his personal information on the fake website including his name, his date of birth and some bank card details.
He heard nothing for almost a week when he was called by a supposed Barclays agent on the afternoon of December 6.
The man spoke with a southern English accent and told the student there was a major issue with his Barclays account.
“He informed me that my account had been hacked and that the hacker could move my money at any time,” said the student.
The fake agent told the student that a new and secure account had been set up to keep his money safe from the hackers and he should transfer his funds.
“He had a good knowledge of the Barclays system, website and customer service which led me to believe it was genuine,” said the student.
He was then sent a text which said: “Great, your new account at BARCLAYS Bank has been successfully upgraded!” with details of a security name and reference number.
The student was so worried the money could be stolen said he felt pressured to transfer £1,800 to the new account.
“The whole thing made me increasingly anxious, and I felt extremely rushed to make a decision because it seemed like time was running out,” said the student.
In many documented scams, callers will pressurise anxious victims to send the money across quickly so they don’t have time to think things through.
A spokesperson for Barclays Bank, whose name was used by the scammers, said: “We urge everyone to stay vigilant to the threat of impersonation scams.
“Don’t rely on the caller display on your phone or text messages pertaining to be from your bank or another organisation – scammers can copy telephone numbers and may ask you to check the number on the back of your card to make you think they’re genuine.
“Remember, your bank will never ask you to hand over your PIN, cards or cash, buy high-value items or transfer funds to a new account. If you get a call like this, stop and hang up the phone.
“If you have any suspicions at all, hang up and call back on a trusted number by calling the number on the back of your card or by dialling 159, the scams hotline.”
Scammers also use the names of other banks. TSB has also reporting a rise in problems related to fake delivery text scams in the last couple of months.
TSB said its internal data showed that in October alone, information claiming to be from a delivery firm featured in 81% of text message scams.
Katy Worobec, managing director of economic crime at UK Finance, said: “Criminals have been capitalising on the pandemic to commit fraud. With many people shopping from home in the run up to Christmas, fraudsters are sending scam emails and texts that impersonate trusted organisations such as parcel delivery companies.
“Often these scams will claim a parcel hasn’t been delivered as a way to trick people into giving away their personal and financial details, which are then used to commit fraud.”
Preventative measures can be taken by the public to avoid them falling victim to the scam.
“We would always urge the public to follow the advice of the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign and remain vigilant against these scams.
“If you receive a text message, phone call or email claiming to be from a trusted organisation like a parcel delivery company or your bank, stop and think before you part with your money or information and don’t click on any links or attachments in case it’s a scam,” said Ms Worobec.
