Police launch telephone fraud campaign following incidents
Police have launched a campaign to tackle an increasing number of incidents in which elderly and vulnerable people are being conned into revealing details of their bank accounts.
Fraudsters contact the victims claiming that their accounts have been compromised and ask them to phone their banks using a number which the offenders supply. Some offences have involved criminals posing as officers from the Metropolitan Police Service.
The confused victim dials the number given not realising that the offender has not cleared the line and gives them the account details, including PINs.
In some cases the offenders have sent round "couriers" to collect the bank cards and take them into safe keeping. They then withdraw cash from the victim's account. The couriers may be the offenders or unwitting taxi drivers booked to collect the cards.
Posters are being distributed in communities, and local officers are speaking to those who may be affected and anyone who has contact with them.
They advise the following:
Banks and police officers will never ask for account details or PINs over the phone, and would not come round to the house to collect your cards or property.
If you do get such a call, hang up immediately and dial 999 using another phone.
