Pensioners are being warned to be vigilant after more than £252,000 was lost to courier fraud last year in Wiltshire.

Courier fraud is when people are contacted by someone pretending to be a police officer or bank official and tricked into handing over money, valuables or bank cards.

These are then collected from their home address, often by couriers.

People in their 80s are most likely to be targeted by criminals carrying out courier fraud, with this age range accounting for 43 per cent of all victims, data from Action Fraud shows. 

Losses across the UK reached a total of over £28.7 million.

The criminals use a variety of different tactics, often claiming that there is a problem with your account and they need your help to catch the real criminals. 

The victim may also be encouraged to hand over their bank cards and PINs, as well as high-value items such as jewellery, watches and gold (coins or bullion).

Victims can also be coerced into going out and buying items such as gold and jewellery from legitimate retailers on behalf of criminals.

Of all national reports made, 63 per cent of victims were female and 37 per cent were male, with an average loss per victim of £20,032.

Detective Constable  and fraud protection officer, Rachel Davies explained: “We’re seeing consistent cases of courier fraud around the county in a variety of locations and unfortunately the victims are often the elderly. 

“This is such a nasty crime which can have devastating psychological effects and significant financial loss.

“Many victims live alone and suffer age-related illnesses, so we’d like families, friends and neighbours to keep vigilant and help protect any vulnerable people in their lives. 

“Fraudsters prey on elderly people by cold calling landlines or posing as police officers and bank officials. 

“We need to get the message out we’d never cold call or ask anyone to share bank details or move assets to aid investigations or for any other reason.”

If you or someone you know is being asked to withdraw money by the bank or the police, report it immediately by calling 999 or online at www.wiltshire.police.uk.

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, report it to Action Fraud at https://orlo.uk/j24Uj or call on 0300 123 2040.