Pensioner loses £12,500 in fake police scam

Family and friends of the elderly and vulnerable have been urged to be aware of fraud risks after a 90-year-old woman was targeted by scammers posing as police officers.

The pensioner, from Sheffield, was told by a caller on 17 April a thief had been trying to steal from her bank account and she needed to withdraw £12,500 "for evidential purposes".

A courier then visited her home and took the money, South Yorkshire Police said.

Fraud protect officer Charlotte Platts said: "The victims often targeted in courier fraud are elderly so please check in with your loved ones who may be vulnerable to this form of fraud."

During the scam call, the woman was told she should dial 999 for further advice.

However, she was in fact connected back to the fraudulent caller.

Ms Platts said: "In this incident, the fraudsters cunningly manipulated the victim by urging her to call 999 - making it sound like they had the victim's best interests in mind.

"However, scammers have been known to stay on the line after you hang up so when you ring another number you are connected back to the scammers.

"If you do get a call, and need to call your bank or the police to check, make sure you use a different phone or wait 20 to 30 minutes."

Officers said the police or a bank would "never call" asking for financial details to be verified over the phone, urging people to "hang up".

If you have been affected by a scam or fraud, BBC Action Line has links to organisations that may be able to help. You can find out more about how to stay Scam Safe here.

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