West Mercia Police - Economic Crime Unit - Weekly Fraud update - 07/04/2026

West Mercia Police - Economic Crime Unit - Weekly Fraud update - 07/04/2026

GIFT CARDS

Despite the addition of warning notices by several retailers now on Gift Card display stands, criminals are still successfully getting victims to make payments by Gift Cards under various pretexts, and the reports of losses through Gift Card scams continue to come in. Some retailers are also restricting the value of a single purchase of Gift Cards

As the name suggests, Gift Cards are a useful way to send a gift to a friend or relative. However, they are an equally handy way for Fraudster to extract money from an unsuspecting victim, and there is very little chance for a victim to get any reimbursement of the money lost.

What are the commonest types of Gift Card Frauds?

Emails claiming to be from Government Agencies such as HMRC, DVLA, or a Utility company demanding overdue payments with immediate reimbursement of the sums due by Gift Cards – would such an organisation really accept payment by Gift Card?

Urgent email or text from a person claiming to be a family member or friend by cloning their identity. They may spin out a hard luck excuse for a reason they cannot get out and buy the Gift Card themselves so ask you to purchase the card, then pass on the code off the back of the card. Always double check with that person by contacting them on a trusted number to make sure they had actually made that request.

Romance Fraud victims are often asked to send money via Gift Cards after the Fraudster has spun out some hard luck story to gain the victims sympathy, and once again asks them to then pass on the code off the back of the card.

Fake Prize Draws/ Competitions - you have won a major prize! You are then asked for a payment by Gift Card to cover the delivery costs of this fake prize, and once again your money is lost.

Always remember.

The criminal does not need the actual card to redeem the money, just the code scratched off the back of the card

Never make payments by Gift Card to someone you have never met

Always check that the Card has not been tampered with when you purchase it, and always ask for a receipt for the value of that card. Unscrupulous retailers may also switch the card at point of payment and hand over a valueless card.

You can always report the fraud to the Gift Card company, but you are only likely to have any chance of reimbursement if the fraudsters have not used the card details and drawn down the funds using the code sent to them

CAR FINANCE CLAIMS

As highlighted many times in previous messages, criminals are always ready to take advantage of topical and current opportunities to defraud their victims.

The current Financial Conduct Authority’s car finance scheme is a likely contender for this, so be aware of fake texts, emails and websites which claim you are owed compensation under the scheme. They will go on to offer the opportunity to assist you in your claim and will probably ask you to share personal information by clicking the link in the message.

Do not click on any links then forward scam texts to 7726 and scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk

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

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If you have fallen for a fraud,

Report it to Report Fraud (formerly known as ACTION FRAUD) on 0300 123 2040 or via 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’)