Avon and Somerset Police are asking people living in the Bath area to be on their guard after three pensioners fell victim to fraudsters in the past fortnight.
An 85-year-old man from Lower Weston was contacted over the phone on Tuesday 5th June by conmen claiming he was owed a refund and seeking his details.
They then said he’d been overpaid and told him to transfer money back to them. The scam was foiled when he checked with his bank and found that the ‘refund’ had been transferred from his own savings account.
No money was lost and officers have visited him with crime prevention advice.
On Wednesday 6th June an 83-year-old lady from Oldfield Park had a call from a man claiming to be a police officer from London investigating a fraud on her account.
The bogus officer persuaded the lady to withdraw cash from her account and give it to a courier sent to her home. They told her not to tell bank staff why she was withdrawing the money and claimed it would help them ‘investigate’ the ‘fraud’.
An 87-year-old man from Widcombe had a call on Monday 11th June claiming to be from a technology company and saying his telephone had been hacked.
They persuaded him share details which enabled them to access his computer and take money from his bank account.
Police have warned locals to be alert when answering the phone to anyone asking for bank details or for you to withdraw or transfer cash.
Banks and police officers will never ask for your PIN. Reputable callers will always give you time to verify their identification and won’t hurry or alarm you.
They’ll be happy to call back when you can have someone you trust with you.
If you’re suspicious of a caller who says they’re a police officer, ring off and call 101 to check.
Similarly, check with your bank or other service provider using the number on your statement or in the phone book.
Action Fraud is the national fraud reporting centre. Visit their website www.actionfraud.police.uk for a full list of scams and frauds and share the information if you have a vulnerable family member, friend or neighbour.
If you think you have been defrauded, contact Action Fraud on 0300 1232040.