Real Courier vs Courier-Collection Fraud
How to spot the difference between a genuine courier collecting a parcel and a scammer posing as one to collect your cash or cards.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
In courier-collection fraud, someone posing as a police officer or bank official instructs you to hand cash, bank cards, or jewellery to a 'courier' for safekeeping. No genuine authority ever does this. The comparison below makes the distinction clear.
Side-by-side comparison
| Real courier | Courier-collection fraud | |
|---|---|---|
| Who asks | A retailer or sender you recognise initiates the pickup | An unexpected caller (claiming to be police or bank) arranges the pickup |
| What is collected | A parcel or return item — not cash, cards, or valuables | Cash, bank cards, PIN numbers, or jewellery |
| Verification | You can verify the pickup online via the retailer or courier's tracking system | You are told not to tell your bank or family; 'secrecy' is emphasised |
| Caller instruction | No caller tells you to withdraw cash or hand over cards | Caller tells you to withdraw money or hand over your card immediately |
| Proof of identity | Courier carries a company ID and a tracking barcode for your parcel | 'Courier' may show a printed badge but cannot be verified through official channels |
Common red flags
- Unexpected call from 'police' or 'bank fraud team' asking you to hand over cash or cards
- Instruction not to tell family members or bank staff
- Request to withdraw cash and give it to a stranger for 'safekeeping'
- Caller insists everything must happen today and quickly
- No legitimate tracking reference for the collection
Verification steps
- Hang up and call your bank or the police on their official published number
- Never hand cash, cards, or PIN numbers to any courier
- Verify any parcel collection through the retailer's or courier firm's official tracking page
- Ask a trusted person for a second opinion before handing anything over
What not to do
- Don't hand cash, cards, jewellery, or PINs to any courier arranged by an unexpected caller
- Don't keep the call secret from your family or bank
- Don't use a number provided by the caller to verify the request
A safe response
Hang up, wait a few minutes, then call your bank on the number on the back of your card. Tell them what happened. Genuine banks and police never ask you to hand valuables to a courier.
Frequently asked questions
Would the police ever send a courier to collect my bank card?
No. Neither the police nor any bank will ever ask you to hand your card, PIN, or cash to a courier. This request is the defining characteristic of courier-collection fraud.