Elderly Women Targeted in Bank and Police Scam Spree
A village near Canterbury saw two chilling scam attempts on Monday, 31 January 2022. Elderly women were contacted by impersonators claiming to be from banks and the police. One victim was nearly duped into transferring money after being told her bank account was compromised.
Bank Impersonator Foiled by Quick Police Action
The first woman was told to visit her local bank branch and move her money to a ‘safe’ account. Luckily, the bank spotted something fishy and alerted kent-police/" title="Kent Police" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="6152">Kent Police. The transaction was stopped, but the victim later admitted she had fallen for a similar scam before, transferring money out once already.
Fake Police Call Sparks Suspicion
On the same day, another elderly woman got a call from someone posing as a London police officer. When asked for personal details, she grew suspicious and hung up, avoiding any financial loss.
Police Warn: Don’t Trust Unexpected Calls Asking for Money
“I urge anyone contacted by someone claiming to be from their bank, or the police, not to agree to transfer any money,” said Inspector Guy Thompson of Canterbury’s Community Safety Unit.
“Always get independent or legal advice if an offer or request involves money, or speak to family or friends before committing to anything. Don’t be embarrassed about reporting a scam – these scammers are crafty, and there’s no shame in being fooled.”
“By reporting it, you’ll help protect others from falling victim.”
How to Stay Safe from Scammers
- If a supposed police officer calls, end the call immediately and ring 101 to verify their identity.
- Wait five minutes before using your phone again after suspicious calls — fraudsters sometimes keep the line open to trick victims.
- Check on elderly or vulnerable friends and family to ensure they know about these scams.
For expert advice and the latest updates on fraud prevention, visit Kent Police Fraud Advice or the national Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign.
