Older people targeted: More higher value courier fraud in three months than entire year – as victims post cards, pins and cash to fraudsters

• 116 percent increase in higher value courier fraud losses in three months (Q1) versus entire year, 2025
• Increase in volume of cases between Q1 2026 vs FY 2025
• Almost 9 in 10 (89%) victims are aged 70 and above
• One case saw a fake police officer attend a property to collect a victim’s card
• City of London Police warns of ‘one of the most harmful and serious fraud types’

TSB is warning of a surge in higher value courier fraud¹ – as cases in the first quarter of this year have surpassed those recorded for full-year 2025, with the value of losses 116 percent higher.

TSB analysed its higher value card losses², relating to cases over £5,000 – and found significant spikes in case load and losses.

Courier fraud sees criminals impersonating banks and the police, with persuasive social engineering tactics to get hold of people's bank cards, pins or cash. Victims will either send their cards and pins through the post - or fraudsters will send couriers to collect cash from their homes - and will even collect these in person.

Fraudsters will typically then use the cards for spending sprees at top-end retailers, or supermarkets; with criminals relying on access to chip and pin to authorise payments and navigate security.

This scam is particularly targeting older customers – with almost 9 in 10 (89%)³ of victims aged over 70. TSB found that 80-89 year-olds account for over two fifths (44%) of all cases. The 70-79 year age group also accounts for 44 percent. Over 1 in 10 (11%) victims are aged 50-59.

Although the case volume is low compared to the likes of purchase fraud – these scams are significant, with losses of £15,500⁴ on average in the higher value category.

Courier fraud is also traumatic and intrusive – preying on the trust that older people place in banks, or the police.

Overall, including this year and 2025 – bank impersonation made up 85 percent of high value courier fraud cases – with Police impersonation accounting for 15 percent.

In one such case, a customer in their 80s was targeted by a fraudster impersonating their bank. They demanded their card and pin were posted to an address in London ‘for security reasons.’ Upon receipt, fraudsters withdrew £5,750 through card use and cash machines – which TSB refunded.

Another customer, also in their 80s, was targeted by a highly orchestrated police impersonation scam. Fraudsters initially contacted the individual via phone, where they claimed their bank account was compromised. The criminal then turned up at the victim’s door dressed as an officer, holding a police badge. The individual handed over their card, and pin, which was then used to drain almost £8,500 at retail and tech stores.

TSB and City of London Police are calling for vigilance – and to be on high guard against any contact claiming to be from your bank, or the police.

TSB is sharing that a bank will never ask you to transfer funds, or to hand over cash, your card and pin. In addition, customers can use the Dial 159 service to connect securely and directly to their bank to confirm whether it’s a legitimate call, or a scammer.

George Hulland, Fraud Prevention, TSB, said:

“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.

“Neither a bank, nor the Police will ever request that you post or handover your card, or cash – so if you’re ever asked, it’s definitely a scam.”

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Thomas, Head of the London Proactive Economic Crime Team, said:

“Courier fraud is one of the most serious and harmful fraud types we deal with, disproportionately affecting older and vulnerable victims and often resulting in significant financial and emotional harm. That is why tackling this type of offending is a top priority for us.

“As the national lead force for fraud, we are working closely with forces across the country to coordinate activity and target offenders operating across regional and local boundaries. Through the newly established London Proactive Economic Crime Team (PECT), we have already taken decisive action, making arrests in London and working with regional partners to disrupt those responsible. Alongside this operational activity, we are strengthening our collaboration with the financial sector and other key partners to improve intelligence sharing and identify criminal activity earlier.

“Courier fraud relies on criminals abusing trust and pressuring victims into handing over cards, cash or high value items in person. We urge the public to remain vigilant and remember that neither the police nor a bank will ever ask you to hand over your card, PIN, cash or valuables. If something does not feel right, stop, take time, and contact your bank or the police independently before taking any action.”

- ENDS - 

Notes to editors

1. TSB compared customer data related to the value of courier fraud between Q1 2026 (Jan-Mar) and courier fraud case load for the entire year of 2025.
2. TSB categorises and records higher-value fraud losses  – which relates to losses of over £5,000 per case. All data in the media release relates to this category. 
3. Demographic breakdown relates to all cases from Q1 2026 to FY 2025.
4.  Average loss relates to cases recorded in the £5,000+ ‘higher value’ category.