A Crime Alert for the residents of Southport from Merseyside Police

A Crime Alert for the residents of Southport from Merseyside Police.

Warning about a Bank Scam.

In April 2018 on the Sefton Crime Alert, residents were warned about phone calls from scammers who were targeting older people and convincing them to withdraw money from their bank accounts. It was reported to us that two victims attended their banks after being asked by the caller to withdraw £10,000. Thanks to the well trained bank staff who identified a fraud they did not withdraw the money. A third person was not so lucky and lost £24,000.

Last week a female resident from Southport aged 91 yrs was scammed in a similar fashion. She had received a number of phone calls from a male on a withheld number. During one of the calls (claiming to be a bank employee), he gave her a false reference number and stated they were changing accounts and she needed to transfer £45,000 to a new account with another bank. He provided her with a new sort code and account number, for the purpose of the transfer of cash.

The male provided her with a script to use, should she be questioned by staff whilst the transactions was being processed. She was told the transfer was to go in her brother’s name and if asked she was to say “It was for personal reasons.”

Whilst in the branch the cashier and manager asked her a list of security questions including; if she was aware of fraud. However the victim had been thoroughly coached on the phone by the scammer on how to answer the questions so she stated she wished to transfer the funds and the cashier complied with her request.

The transaction was completed and that evening she got another phone call. She was asked if she had transferred the funds. This made her suspicious and she attended the bank the following day but it was too late £45,000 had been transferred (stolen).

These scammers are targeting older residents. The scammers are very convincing in what they say and how they conduct their business. All residents should be aware this could happen to anyone at any time. Please pass on this message to try and prevent older people becoming victims of this despicable crime.