Three elderly residents targeted in 'police officer' phone scam
Fraudsters posing as police officers have attempted to scam three elderly residents across Leicestershire and Rutland. The incidents, which all happened this week, involved callers claiming to be police officers investigating fraudulent bank card use.
The victims, all aged in their 70s and 80s, were contacted by someone claiming to be "John Spencer" from the police. In each case, the scammer attempted to convince the residents to share their bank details following supposed fraudulent activity.
A police investigation is now under way after Leicestershire Police today (Thursday, January 30) revealed multiple attempts to defraud 'vulnerable' residents. Officers say all three potential victims became suspicious and ended the calls before any money was taken.
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Officers said the fraudsters would claim to the victim that the victim's bank card had been used fraudulently, and would arrange for a ‘courier’ to collect the card from their home address. The card is then collected, and used to make purchases or withdraw money.
In one case, a man in his 80s, from Belton, was told his bank card had been used at a shop in Birmingham, before being patched through to another person claiming to be a police officer based in Leicester. The victim became suspicious and refused to share his details.
On the same day, a woman in her 70s, from Broughton Astley, was contacted by someone also claiming to be "John Spencer", who said officers had arrested someone in Birmingham for using her bank card. The woman ended the call when asked for her bank details.
Nicole McIntyre, of the force's Economic Crime Unit (ECU), said: "Those committing courier fraud try to prey on the elderly and vulnerable. They attempt to sound genuine and work quickly to gain the trust of the person they are calling."
She added: "The police would never contact you and ask you to withdraw money. If you get a call like this, please hang up. If you need to contact your bank following a call, please try to use a different line as fraudsters can stay on the line even after you have hung up."
Officers are urging people to share details of the scam with elderly or vulnerable friends, neighbours or relatives.
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