High riskBank & Payment Scams

Courier Card Collection Scam

A caller claiming to be from your bank says your card has been compromised and that, for safety, a courier will come to collect your old card. They ask you to confirm your PIN or hand the card over to the courier. In reality the courier is part of the scam, and once they have your genuine card and PIN, the account can be drained.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Bank impersonation scam
Main red flag
Someone claiming to be your bank says a courier will collect your card and asks you to confirm your PIN.
What to do first
Hang up and do not hand your card to anyone. No genuine bank sends a courier to collect a card or asks for your PIN.

What this scam usually looks like

A caller claiming to be from your bank says your card has been compromised and that, for safety, a courier will come to collect your old card. They ask you to confirm your PIN or hand the card over to the courier. In reality the courier is part of the scam, and once they have your genuine card and PIN, the account can be drained.

Example message pattern

Example pattern — not a real report
Example pattern: "This is your bank's fraud team. We've detected suspicious activity, so your card must be cancelled. For your security, a courier will collect the old card from your address shortly. Please confirm your PIN now so we can verify the card when it arrives. Do not use the card before then."

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Red flags to watch for

  • A caller says your card is compromised and that a courier will be sent to collect it from your home.
  • You are asked to confirm or enter your PIN over the phone or to write it down for the courier.
  • Pressure not to use or destroy the card, but to hand the genuine card to someone instead.
  • The caller urges secrecy and discourages you from hanging up to call the bank back yourself.
  • Claims of fraud on your account paired with an urgent, scripted request for your card and PIN.

What to do

  • Hang up and call your bank back using the number on the back of your card or its official website.
  • Use a different phone if possible, or wait several minutes, so you are not reconnected to the same caller.
  • If a courier arrives for your card, do not hand it over, and contact your bank and the police if you feel unsafe.
  • If you ever need to cancel a card, do it yourself through your bank's official app, website or phone line.

If you already clicked or replied

  • If you handed over your card, contact your bank immediately to cancel it and freeze the account.
  • If you shared your PIN, tell your bank so they can secure the card and account against further use.
  • Review recent transactions and report any you do not recognise to your bank straight away.
  • Report the incident, including the courier collection, to your national fraud service and the police.

What not to do

  • Do not hand your card to a courier or anyone who comes to collect it.
  • Do not share, confirm or write down your PIN for anyone, including someone claiming to be your bank.
  • Do not call back on a number the caller gives you, as it may connect you straight to the scammer.

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Frequently asked questions

Would my real bank ever send a courier for my card?
Genuine banks do not send couriers to collect cards and do not ask for your PIN by phone or in person. If a card needs cancelling, your bank arranges it through official channels. A courier collection request is a strong sign of a scam.
The caller knew my name and some account details. Is it real?
Not necessarily. Scammers may have gathered personal details from breaches or earlier scams to sound convincing. Knowing some information does not make a caller legitimate, especially if they ask for your PIN or to collect your card.
How do I check whether the call is really my bank?
Hang up and call your bank back on the number printed on your card or its official site, ideally from a different phone. Genuine staff will not mind you verifying and will never need your PIN or your physical card collected by courier.
I gave my card and PIN to a courier. What now?
Contact your bank immediately to cancel the card and freeze the account, and report stolen funds as soon as you can. Tell them you shared your PIN. Report the collection to the police and your national fraud service, keeping any details you remember.

Last reviewed: June 2026

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.