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Scams against the elderly
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A parasite has defrauded my elderly father. They rang him up, pretending to be the police investigating a bank fraud. They told him he needed to withdraw a particular sum of money (thousands) so they could check it for fingerprints. He did this and somebody came to collect the money from his home.
It took him a couple of days to realise it was fraud. They called him again after this incident and asked him to withdraw an eye-watering amount of money. Fortunately he refused that time.
I'm not after sympathy or anything like that. That's not why I'm writing this. I have heard about this type of scam before and warned him about it. I told him the sort of things they do and he said he understood and would never just hand money over to a stranger. I thought he was safe but he wasn't.
The reason I'm writing is to urge everybody to talk to your older friends and relatives about this type of crime. Even if you don't think they would fall for it, tell them again and again. Protect them. Don't be complacent like I was. Tell them over and over. Ingrain it into them.
Please do what you can to spread the word. |
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"If they call again say the day they can pick up the money and have the police waiting.
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That's what I want to do, and if they don't come in time then God help the scammer if I get my hands on him. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Variations of this disgusting scam have been going on for about 15yrs.
In some scams, they will even supply a name and contact phone number.
Banks are actually more aware of this happening and should challenge/question any decision by elderly customers withdrawing large amounts of cash.
Its heartbreaking that this still goes on.
It is frustrating that more people arent aware of this.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"If they call again say the day they can pick up the money and have the police waiting.
That's what I want to do, and if they don't come in time then God help the scammer if I get my hands on him. "
Unfortunately they are wise to that.
When the scam started concerned relatives would tell the police and they would wait for them to collect the money.
Unfortunately criminals adapt.
So they started sending couriers to collect the money.
When they started doing that, the police would covertly follow the courier to the drop off point.
Then the criminals adapted again, changing their MO.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Banks are actually more aware of this happening and should challenge/question any decision by elderly customers withdrawing large amounts of cash.
"
They could still only advise, they couldn’t refuse to hand the money over. Principle 3 of the mental capacity act means people have the right to make decisions seen as unwise if they have mental capacity. Some of these people would be so scared of being in trouble with the police that I fear they wouldn’t be undeterred by being told it’s a scam |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Banks are actually more aware of this happening and should challenge/question any decision by elderly customers withdrawing large amounts of cash.
They could still only advise, they couldn’t refuse to hand the money over. Principle 3 of the mental capacity act means people have the right to make decisions seen as unwise if they have mental capacity. Some of these people would be so scared of being in trouble with the police that I fear they wouldn’t be undeterred by being told it’s a scam "
From personal experience, when elderly customers attempt to withdraw or transfer large amounts of cash, a lot of banks will contact the police, and a unit will attend and speak to the customer.
The police will listen to the customer as to the reason they are doing this, and advise them accordingly. They will also liaise with bank staff
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I do hope your father received a full refund from the bank?
This happened to my father to tbe tune of £12,000
Barclays refunded the lot and provided him with a private box at a Birmingham City FC match for tbe day
They found out he was a fan
As far as your dad is concerned this is going to affect him for quite a while as his vulnerability becomes a realisation
But I'm sure he has yours and the family's full support
Thanks for posting
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By *yway60Man
over a year ago
Gamlingay |
These people are scum.
A few years ago a couple of men knocked on my frail and recently widowed mum's door claiming to be from the water company. One of them went into the kitchen with her to run the taps to 'check the water pressure' while the other took her purse from her handbag.
She didn't lose much, she didn't have much to take, but she was upset for months and remained afraid to open the door to anyone until she passed away a couple of years later. |
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"I’m sorry to hear this has happened. It might be worth looking into lasting power of attorney to protect him from financial scams in the future. "
This sadly only works once a person has lost mental capacity to deal with their own finances - I see it all too often through work (mainly family members taking the money) & it’s sickening |
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Got my father well drilled on scams. He always rings me if he gets something iffy.
What I do worry about is who he answers the door to as his house has the appearance of a family gold offence prime target. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Thank you... There is a new scam in my area - an actual signed letter advising that there is an urgent safety check taking place in the area - it will take 3 hours and the house must be empty to complete the activity safely.. Its signed and is very compelling.. Some unfortunate soul will fall for it  |
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That’s such a shame! To be fair I have fallen for or almost fallen for some of the scams as they are getting so much slicker with them. My mum recently fell for the one where they text her pretending to be her kid saying they lost their phone and need money. She realised too late and felt embarrassed but it’s the scammers that should be embarrassed and ashamed of themselves!! |
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My dad's been targeted by phone scams the last couple of days. He always tells me but unfortunately he's not clear on what has been said to him and becomes a bit vague when I ask him questions. The important thing is that he doesn't respond to them. However both him and my mum fell for the same scam twice a few years back. It makes me so angry. What would help in a small way would be if it became illegal to sell phone numbers |
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By *etcplCouple
over a year ago
Gapping Fanny |
Sadly some people have few or no morals, and will do all they can to enrich themselves at your expense.
Taking advantage of others is one thing I cannot stand, and will do all I can to see the perpetrators brought to justice!
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Firstly. If you use a landline, buy the BT call identity phone. The caller has to announce who they are before you accept. If you get a scam, most will not continue to get to you. You can decide not to accept the call if they do try. Secondly, never reply to a call or text you don't recognize on your mobile. Hope this helps. Door callers, I never respond to and have a notice to say so. Occasionally, they ignore the notice but unless I have a legitimate letter beforehand, I do not respond to so called officials. Worth getting some sort of camera too |
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"That’s such a shame! To be fair I have fallen for or almost fallen for some of the scams as they are getting so much slicker with them. My mum recently fell for the one where they text her pretending to be her kid saying they lost their phone and need money. She realised too late and felt embarrassed but it’s the scammers that should be embarrassed and ashamed of themselves!! "
My mum did too but luckily the bank were wise & withheld the payment. She’s been told if we want money we will always ask in person (never asked her for money before!) |
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Areas can be designate as Cold Calling Free Zones, which is to stop unknown cold calling. I'd encourage people who have vulnerable families etc who have been subject to such fraud and attacks at home, to potentially help them have their road established as for no house cold calling.
It won't stop all criminals but could be a reasonable way to deter and stop many. Some theft isn't premeditated and this scheme removes the invitation to call uninvited at homes, where a distracteed person may get someone stealing their property.
This is going away from OPs issue but may be helpful. I wish more of them would be set up. Anyone done 1? |
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