Elderly urged to be watch out for scammers

Police are urging residents in Cheshire to be vigilant after an elderly woman was scammed out of a large quantity of money.

The pensioner from Adlington received a phone call from someone purporting to be from her bank. The person read out her account details and balance and then told her she needed to withdraw her money and gave her a number to ring the force squad. During the conversation he said that her bank had been compromised and not to say anything.

The woman was coerced into withdrawing a large quantity of cash from her bank and instructed to hand it over to a courier for safekeeping.

Two further elderly residents from Macclesfield and Wilmslow also received two different calls. One call was from a man purporting to be a police officer and the other call was from someone stating the victim had won money from the health lottery. Both were asked to withdraw their money but didn’t fall victim to the scam.

Sergeant Keith Graham, of Macclesfield LPU, said: “We are investigating a number of incidents whereby elderly victims are being contacted by criminals involved in fraudulent acts.

“Victims are being coerced into believing a number of reasons for why they should withdraw their money. I want to make it clear that no one should withdraw any money from their account if they are asked to do so over the phone.

“I urge anyone else who has been targeted by this scam, or other similar scams, to call us on 101 and I also want everyone to follow our advice on how to avoid becoming a victim.”

The force’s advice on avoiding such scams is:

• The police will never ask you to become part of an undercover investigation or for you to withdraw money and hand it to them for safe-keeping
• Be wary of any calls, texts or emails purporting to be from the police or anyone else asking for your personal or financial details, or for you to transfer money
• If you are approached, or feel something is suspicious, hang up the phone and do not reply and then report it to police on 101, Action Fraud and your bank on their advertised number.

Sergeant Graham added: “If you have elderly relatives or neighbours please ensure that they are aware of this emerging trend and that you do everything you can to safeguard them and their savings.”