Courier scam
A sophisticated fraud in which a caller impersonating a bank or police officer sends a 'courier' to physically collect cash, cards, or valuables from the victim at their home.
Also known as: safe-hand delivery scam, bank courier fraud
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
The courier scam combines vishing with a physical element. A caller impersonates a bank fraud investigator or police officer, tells the victim their account has been compromised, and asks them to hand their bank card (and sometimes PIN) or cash to a courier who will 'take it to a safe place'.
The courier is a real person — often an unwitting money mule or a low-level criminal hired for the collection — who collects the items from the victim's door. With a card and PIN, the fraudsters immediately empty the victim's accounts at ATMs.
This scam disproportionately affects elderly people who may find the physical presence of a 'courier' more convincing than a digital transaction. Banks and police will never send someone to collect your card, cash, or jewellery.