A caller says a courier will collect your cash, gold or card

The problem

The call begins with a worry. Someone says they are from your bank, a fraud team, or a government office, and that your accounts are at risk. They suggest taking your money out of the bank, or buying gold, and handing it over to be protected. A courier will collect it from your home or a public place.

There is no protected account, and the courier works for the person who called.

How it can happen

The FTC describes three common starting stories: someone is using your accounts, your Social Security number is tied to a serious crime, or your computer has a security problem. Whichever one is used, the next step is a plan that always involves moving money, whether to protect funds, clear your name or catch the real criminals.

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center described the courier version in January 2024. Scammers posed as tech support or government officials, told people their accounts were at risk, and then asked them to convert assets to cash or buy precious metals. A courier collected the items from the victim's home or a public place. In some cases the courier asked for a passcode, such as a bill's serial number, so the pickup would feel official. Many of those affected were older adults.

In September 2026, the FBI added that authorities never contact the public by phone or text to demand any payment, and never ask for payment by prepaid card, cryptocurrency or courier.

How to avoid it

1. Hang up. You do not need to be polite or explain. Ringing off is always allowed.
2. Ring your bank yourself. Use the number on the back of your card or a recent statement. Wait a minute, or use a different phone, in case the line stays open.
3. Never hand cash, gold, cards or PINs to anyone who collects them. The IC3 advice is not to share your home address or meet strangers to hand over cash or metals. The US government and legitimate businesses do not ask people to buy precious metals.
4. Do not follow a pop-up or text number. Do not click links or call numbers from unexpected messages.
5. Tell someone you trust. The FTC advises talking to a friend or family member before acting, especially when a caller says it is urgent or involves a crime. Secrecy is part of the scam.
6. If someone says a courier is on the way, call the police on their normal number. The FTC advises this when a caller says someone is coming for gold or cash.

For the version that starts with a bank, the fraud department call shows the first half of the script. If you have already handed anything over, tell your bank straight away and file a complaint at ic3.gov. The IC3 notice lists the details to include, such as the names of people who contacted you, phone numbers, websites and bank account numbers. Victims aged 60 or older who need help filing can call the Department of Justice Elder Justice Hotline on 1-833-372-8311.

Things to watch

• A request to withdraw a large amount of cash, especially for someone else.
• A request to buy gold or other metals.
• A caller who says a courier or agent will meet you at your door or a public place.
• Instructions to keep the matter secret from the bank teller, family or friends.

For other ways a caller might ask you to move money, see our piece on the Bitcoin ATM request.