Southport residents warned about scammers

by
28th January 2016

ELDERLY residents in Southport are being warned of a new type of scam currently being acted out in the resort which involves conning unsuspecting victims out of their savings.

In recent weeks a man from Southport was contacted via letter, supposedly from a Principal Asset Manager working for a named foreign bank and addressed directly to the victim.

The contents stated the recipient could be eligible to receive a large amount of money following the death of a client with a similar surname.

A spokesperson for Sefton Home Watch wanred: “People who think up new scams that can make our lives a misery are unfortunately part of everyday life in modern Britain.

“If we are aware or given examples, it hopefully helps us to know how to deal with them.

“The resident was told to keep the contents of the letter a secret, and a telephone number was supplied for him to make contact with the manager to verify his interest in claiming the inheritance.

“If the recipient had taken up the offer, the next step would have been to ask for his bank account details to enable the money to be transferred to his account.

“Don’t be tempted to give your bank details to anyone you don’t trust and never in the circumstances as stated.

“Elsehwere police forces have become aware of a fraud circulating targeting elderly and vulnerable members of the community.”

Some older people have received telephone calls from a caller who purports to be from the GP surgery and is asking for an appointment to discuss the person’s mobility needs.

“During the appointment, the older person is persuaded to buy mobility aids which are either unnecessary or inappropriate and always expensive.

“If you receive a call like this, please check with your GP surgery first before agreeing to a visit.”

 

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