Cold-call criminals stole from my mother, Rachel Johnson reveals
RACHEL JOHNSON, the Prime Minister’s sister, has revealed that their mother fell victim to cold-call scammers who stole valuables from her home after they said they could value her antiques.
The criminals phoned the 79-yearold Charlotte Johnson Wahl and told her they were on their way before turning up at the door.
Ms Johnson revealed the story on her podcast Difficult Women recorded a week after her mother passed away.
Ms Johnson, speaking to Dame Esther Rantzen, said: “My mother was rung up and they said ‘we’re coming to value your valuables’, and she actually let them in. Two con men came in and disappeared with what she described to the police as a Fabergé egg.
“Unbelievably the police got them, caught them, found the egg and I looked at the egg and it was by no means a Fabergé egg – it was something you might have found in a Christmas cracker.”
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “It’s devastating to think that anyone would target an older person to defraud them in this way, but sadly this is happening all too often.
“Incidents of fraud are rising, with an older person falling victim every 40 seconds. Those who live alone can be particularly vulnerable.
“Fraud can have a catastrophic and life-changing impact not just on people’s finances but their health, wellbeing and relationships.
“We advise that older people never tell cold callers that you live alone. Only let someone in if you’re expecting them and don’t feel embarrassed about turning someone away.
“Don’t agree to sign a contract or hand over money before thinking it over and talking to someone you trust.”
A spokesman for Action Fraud said: “Criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations and the police. They spend hours researching you for their scams, hoping you’ll let your guard down for just a moment.
“Stop and think. It could protect you and your money.”
Ms Johnson also said that she feels it is a “duty” for people to tell their family what their wishes are for when they die, such as burial arrangements.
“One of the messages that I would like to get across, is to say: please everybody, write down your wishes, say what you want after your death and what kind of service you want,” she said.
“A woodland burial, a cremation, who you want to speak and where your money to go. I think it’s a duty.”
Johnson Wahl – who was the daughter of Sir James Fawcett, the president of the European Commission for Human Rights in the 1970s – interrupted her education at Oxford to travel to America with Stanley Johnson, whom she married in 1963.
They had four children: Boris, Rachel, former Cabinet minister Jo and environmentalist Leo, before they divorced in 1979.
After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 40, Johnson Wahl continued her work as a painter.
The Prime Minister has described her as the “supreme authority” in his family.
♦ Older people and their families can find advice and tips on staying safe online by calling Age UK’S free national advice line on 0800 678 1602, which is available every day from 8am to 7pm.
‘Two con men came in and disappeared with what she described to the police as a Fabergé egg’