East Wiltshire Hit by £50k Bank Scam Blitz
Police are on high alert after a string of banking and courier frauds hit east Wiltshire. An elderly Devizes woman in her 80s was duped out of over £50,000 by scammers posing as bank staff. They tricked her into transferring cash to two separate accounts.
This case is just the latest in a wave of frauds targeting the Devizes and Marlborough areas.
Scammers Pretend to Be Police in Courier Con
Fraudsters have also been pretending to be police officers, convincing victims to withdraw thousands and hand it over to fake courier collectors. PC Sue Ellway from Devizes Area Community Policing Team warns, “These scams are very sophisticated and it is very easy for people to be duped.”
She added: “Usually, the criminals pose as either police officers or bank employees and convince their victims they are at risk of fraud and must follow instructions to protect their money.”
How to Stay One Step Ahead of Scammers
Police urge residents to stay vigilant and check in with elderly or vulnerable family and neighbours. Follow these vital tips to avoid falling victim:
- If you get a call from someone claiming to be from your bank, police, or any organisation you didn’t contact – take their number and hang up immediately.
- Make a cuppa or do something for 5 minutes – this stops scammers keeping your line open.
- Then call a trusted friend, relative, or Wiltshire Police on 101 to report it.
- Never transfer money or give your banking details or cards to callers.
Remember, the bank or police will never ask you to transfer money or share details over the phone.
For more on courier fraud and how to protect yourself, visit the official Action Fraud website.
