Couple lose money in cold calling scam
HALTON residents are being warned not to fall victim to phone fraudsters posing as police officers after an elderly Cheshire couple was scammed.
Cheshire police are currently investigating an incident from the end of June where a couple received several phone calls from a man who claimed he was from the Metropolitan Police.
A Cheshire police spokesman said the couple were told their credit cards and bank account had been compromised and that the offenders, who worked at a bank, had counterfeit money.
The caller advised the victims to withdraw as much cash as possible from their account as it may have been fake.
After withdrawing the money, the couple received another call telling them that a man would come to their home to pick up the money so it could be checked.
Chief Inspector Mike Evans said: “This is an extremely callous act, and as a result of this incident the victims have lost a large amount of money.
“In addition to this case we’ve had other reports from residents in the Chester area that we believe have also been tar- geted. Thankfully, in the other cases victims have not fallen for the scam and no money was taken.
“Although these incidents occurred in Chester, we know from past experience phone frauds tend to happen more than once as offenders target the area before moving on to the next.
“That’s why we are advising residents across the county to be aware of this latest scam.”
Police have described the suspect who collected the money as of ‘Asian origin’, approximately 5ft 5ins tall, with short black hair and ‘possibly’ a moustache, and that he was wearing dark clothing.
Advice offered to Halton residents include put- ting the phone down on someone if unsure about handing over details, to never assume a caller is genuine even if they have correct information, and to ‘always be wary’ of cold callers.
Residents are also reminded banks never call and ask for a four-digit PIN number or ask their customers to either withdraw money to hand over to them or transfer money to another account.
Victims of phone scams should contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 and police on 101.
Anyone information about the above incident call 101 and quote: 917 of Thursday, June 28, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.