Elderly are targeted by scammers

Elderly are targeted by scammers

7 January 2015

A WARNING has been issued about bogus callers targeting pensioners in the Downpatrick area.

Several elderly residents have recently received bogus telephone calls from people described as having Indian or Pakistani accents, purporting to represent Down Council.

In one particular case, a caller spoke to the son of one elderly lady asking to speak with his father, unaware the man had died some time ago.

PSNI and Down Council officials are urging the public to be vigilant, warning residents not to provide any of their personal or banking details and to be wary of unsolicited telephone calls they may receive.

PSNI Down Area Commander, Chief Inspector Gillian West, is urging people of the need to be vigilant following reports of bogus telephone callers in the Downpatrick area. She said anyone who knows anything about the incident should contact police on the 101 emergency number.

The police chief also appealed to people to look after their elderly neighbours and remind them of the ‘quickcheck’ scheme which is a dedicated number (0800 132290) people can ring to check the identity of callers to their home.

A Down Council spokeswoman said anyone who receives an unsolicited or unexpected telephone call from a person claiming to be from the local authority asking for personal details should disregard it.

She added: “Under no circumstances should anyone provide any personal information to these callers, or send any money to them. These types of scams have the sole aim of gaining money from innocent victims. Down Council does not and would not make these telephone calls unexpectedly.”

Council chairman Billy Walker, who has spoken with a concerned relative of one of the pensioners targeted, said it was fortunate that people who had been contacted did not give out any of their personal details.

“I do not believe it is a coincidence that these scammers are just targeting the elderly,” he said. “I have no doubt they are targeting pensioners as part of a deliberate plan to gain access to their personal and banking details.”

“Pensioners need to remain vigilant. If they are unsure about the identity of telephone callers to their home they should put the phone down immediately and contact police.”

Councillor Walker says he understands one pensioner has received several calls from a person with an Asian accent claiming to be from Down Council.

“I am in no doubt that whoever is behind this scam is after people’s banking details and it is no coincidence the elderly are being targeted. Under no circumstances should people divulge their banking details to anyone,” he said.

“While pensioners in Downpatrick have been targeted, people right across the district must remain vigilant. Scammers will use every trick in the book to try and access people’s personal and banking details and everyone needs to be on their guard.”