Beware of courier scams

Published on February 06, 2026

Menlo Park, Calif. – Courier scams are a common form of fraud in which scammers pretend to use a person with authority to collect bail money for outstanding warrants, money for government fines, or ransom, related to you or a family member. The person will pose as an agent of the government and pick up cash, usually asked for in large amounts (in excess of $10,000) and packaged in a sealed box. The couriers will arrive at the victim's home address and will pose as government officials. Once they make contact with the victim, the suspect will provide the victim with a code and hand over the box to the suspect posing as a government official.  These scams often target people who are elderly or have family members who live abroad.  

 How to protect yourself:

• Government agencies will never ask for money to pay active arrest warrants.
• Government agencies do not send couriers to collect personal property.
• Officials will never ask for passwords, one-time codes, or PINs.
• Be wary of urgent threats, secrecy, or instructions not to contact anyone else.
• If contacted, hang up and verify using official phone numbers or websites.
• Please contact your local police department if you believe you are being scammed.

If you believe you have been a victim of a "courier scam" or any fraudulent scam please contact the Menlo Park Police Department at 650-330-6300.