Weekly Fraud update from West Mercia Police - Economic Crime Unit - 01/09/2026

Weekly Fraud update from West Mercia Police - Economic Crime Unit - 01/09/2026

ONLINE SALES FRAUD

Reports of Internet Sales scams continue to appear, so if you are selling items through Online or Social Media marketplace, you really need to be aware of this problem and proceed with care.

How does it work?

You, the seller will list an article for sale.

The scammer will make contact and negotiate a price, and will then appear to send the money, often through a WISE account.

The scammer tells the victim that, in order for the money to be released, a Tracking Number needs to be provided, but you cannot get a Tracking Number prior to sending the item

Once a Tracking Number is provided, this confirms to the scammer the item is on the way in the post, and there is little or nothing Royal Mail, or any courier company can do to retrieve the item.

The money has in fact never been sent by the scammer in the first place, and so the victim takes a double loss: the loss of money from the sale AND the loss of the item.

There have also been reports of the “buyer” saying they will collect the item and pay on collection. They arrive on the doorstep, appear to make a payment through a fake banking App then disappear with the goods. Always make sure the money has arrived in your account before handing over any items.

How can you avoid being scammed?

Research the buyer before you enter into any agreement or monies change hands. Check the website for any reports about the buyer you are dealing with

Never dispatch any item you are selling before you have received the payment, and it is secured.

If you are selling second hand devices, first of all back up any data you may use again then do a full Factory Reset before dispatching the device.

Take care not to provide unnecessary personal details that may give the Scammer access to your finances. Avoid giving out personal bank details to private buyers you do not know.

FAKE LETTERS

In recent weeks we have had reports of fake letters sent to victims of fraud which appear to come from bona fide organisations such as banks and the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Whilst the copy, headers, logos and content in the letters appeared very authentic, the handwritten envelope via Royal Mail Special Delivery was far from authentic.

If you receive any unexpected mail such as this, first of all check with the actual bank or organisations using their listed numbers – not the phone number in the letter, and if it proves to be fraudulent then report the incident to REPORT FRAUD – details below.

Please feel free to share these messages with any vulnerable friends, relatives, or neighbours

If you have fallen for a fraud,

Report it to Report Fraud (formerly known as ACTION FRAUD) on 0300 123 2040 or via www.reportfraud.police.uk

Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take prompt action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks. You can also report Scam mobile calls by texting 7726 with the word “Call” followed by the fraudulent caller’s phone number.

Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk

If you think your bank account or personal banking details have been used fraudulently, then use the short phone number - 159 - to contact the Fraud Prevention Department of most major UK banks.

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Message Sent By
Michael Barbour
(Police, PSV, Economic Crime Unit – Fraud Protect’)