Residents in Stone and across Staffordshire are being urged to watch out for courier fraud after new national figures showed more than £21 million was stolen from victims in 2025.
The warning has been shared through the Staffordshire Smart Alert system and highlights the way criminals are continuing to target older people, particularly those aged over 70.
City of London Police, the national lead force for fraud, said reports of courier fraud rose by nearly 10 per cent, from 1,721 in 2024 to 1,891 in 2025. Losses increased from £19.5 million to more than £21 million, with the average amount stolen now standing at £15,311.08 per victim.
People aged between 76 and 96 accounted for around 62 per cent of reports.
Courier fraud often starts with an unexpected phone call from someone pretending to be a police officer or bank employee. Victims may be told their account is at risk, that they are helping with an investigation, or that they need to withdraw money, buy valuables, or hand over bank cards and PINs.
A courier is then sent to collect cash, cards, jewellery, gold or other valuables. Anything handed over is taken by criminals.
Police say a growing trend in 2025 has involved victims being persuaded to visit jewellers to buy expensive items, sometimes over a period of time, before handing them to a courier. These cases can involve repeat contact, with offenders continuing to pressure victims for more money or valuables.
Detective Superintendent Ollie Little, from City of London Police, said
“It’s vital that people know the warning signs and feel empowered to stop, question and verify before taking any action.”
Police are reminding residents that a bank or police officer will never ask someone to transfer money to a safe account.
They will also never send a courier to a home to collect bank cards, cash, PINs, jewellery or other valuables.
Anyone who receives a suspicious call should hang up and contact the organisation directly using details they know are genuine, such as the number on the back of a bank card or an official website. People can also call 159 to contact their bank safely.
Caller ID should not be trusted as proof of who is calling.
Suspicious scam calls can be reported by texting 7726 with the word “Call” followed by the caller’s number.
Anyone who thinks they have been a victim of fraud can contact Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report it online at reportfraud.police.uk.
If a fraud is happening at the time and a suspect is still at the scene, call 999.
