CRIME BOOM
have been a false Amazon page appeared on screen. ‘Phone the number and speak to them,’ he barked. I dialled and another man informed me that Thomas Parell was one of their best technicians.
Vanished funds
I actually apologised. Reassured, my next task was to punch numbers into my bank security card reader. By now, I was totally brainwashed. For three more hours unfathomable script rolled across my screen. Occasionally, my online banking pages appeared. ‘What do you see in your Santander account?’ asked Thomas.
Sure enough, there were my funds, safe and sound.
The next day, I called my younger daughter and told her what had happened. My son-in-law immediately sensed the worst and, slowly, the terrible truth became clear.
In total, more than £100,000 had disappeared from my accounts – funds from Dad’s business and every penny of Mum’s inheritance. The financial loss was one thing, but the emotional toll was so much worse. I’m not a stupid person, but that’s how I feel. I remind myself that I was sucked in by professionals.
Since then, I’ve found myself analysing everything. I trust no one and the
slightest thing makes me cross. I feel violated and I’m sickened by society’s endless greed – people just want money, no matter who’s hurt in the process. To my relief, both banks refunded me. First, Santander repaid £90,000 –
I was so happy, I wept down the phone. After a worrying wait, RBS refunded £12,000. I’d been planning to use Mum’s inheritance to help my girls and to travel, once restrictions lift. Now, perhaps I can. You read about this sort of thing, but you never dream you’ll be the victim. It took me ages to open my laptop again and, when I did, I changed every password and code. These days, I never answer the phone unless I recognise the number. If anyone genuinely needs me, they will leave a message or write. On the whole, British people are polite, and I wonder if that makes us easier targets. I’d advise anyone getting a suspicious call to put down the phone immediately. Don’t accept any nonsense – be downright rude. I’m quite a strong person and I’ll get through this. I have to. Harbouring anger isn’t good for anyone and I realise I am very, very lucky to have my money. Never again will I assume the best in people – but I won’t let criminals ruin the rest of my life.
Research from Barclays reveals 2020 as the highest year on record for scams, as the value of fraudulent activity increased by more than 66% from July to December.