Telephone scams affect two Henfield residents

Please share this message with your elderly relatives, friends and neighbours and please remember there's no shame in being caught out by fraudsters; their techniques are getting incredibly convincing.

We are sad to hear of two of our elderly community being hit by serious financial fraud, in both cases the stories are similar and for very large amounts of money. These people were put under severe stress and subjected to multiple calls, all requesting cash be removed from banks. The criminal on the end of the line claims to be an inspector in the Metropolitan Police, but this story can vary a little.

The most recent attack saw a lady in her 80s take two large amounts of cash from the Post Office in Shoreham and a bank in Burgess Hill. She was told by the scammers to take a note of every bank note number, put specific amounts in envelopes which she bought for this purpose and then they sent a "courier" round to her house to collect the money. This lady was subjected to this scam for a period of two days, during which she had no sleep, didn't have time to eat and was continuously told that she had to be quick so that the money was ready for the police to use to catch the fraudsters.

Below is the story of the elderly gentleman, who has kindly shared with us what happened to him. We have changed his name for the purpose of this article.

Robert's Story.

"It is a cold February morning. I've just said goodbye to my coffee guests, my two brothers, when the phone rings - not somebody I know but it's an enquiry about a relation of mine; "Do you have a relative named John Jones?"

I've no uncles or cousins so the answer is easy; "No."

"Mr. Jones, this is Detective Constable White of Hammersmith Fraud Squad. The man is in our custody for using your bank details endeavouring to purchase goods in a London store."

It turns out the man is actually an employee of my bank and he has targeted me to a minimum of £15,000.

DC White holds the line while I dial 999 (the Police Station have a direct link) to check his authenticity. That safely done he is able to explain how the money can be regained within two days. The one proviso is that care must be taken not to jeopardise the forthcoming trial of the man at the criminal court - I should not mention any police involvement.

I'm taken aback by this sudden news. I'm 86. I've got precious few savings and can never find replacement for such a sum. My mind reels. I can hardly recall details of my other bank account. When I do, DC White continues to inform me it too has been attacked. Completely flummoxed I can't even think of my pin number for him. 

I look it up. "O.K. I've found my four digit pin number."

For some ingrained reason I don't actually say what it is and he agrees - one should never state one's pin number. Now he explains what I need to do. I listen carefully.

I have to go to my bank in Brighton, transfer £10,000 to my current account (although my money has all been taken the police have funds set aside for such occasions), continue to a Marina money exchange and withdraw £8,000 worth of Euros. He will keep in touch on my mobile phone in case I need further assistance.

It is now past lunch time and I am mighty hungry but I want my money back so set off at once.

The bank transfers £10,000. I go to the Marina. It is past 4 p.m. The store does not have sufficient Euros. My heart goes down. 

DC White calls. I tell him. Fortunately he knows of another exchange shop in North Street.

By the time I get there it is dark. I find the shop, they can provide £5,000. I'm almost there - just my pin number to put in, press 'ENTER' and the task is done. The machine rejects me; and again. It is a cruel blow but I can do no more. I'm cold, getting colder and will miss the last bus if I don't rush. 

I just catch it and reach home utterly exhausted. The phone rings, DC White again. As I answer it the room begins to spin. I hold on tight and tell him I can do no more until morning. He is very understanding. I sleep well knowing that my money should be back with me by Monday.

When I awake it hits me that my Direct Debit for the gas bill has probably not been paid - I could be cut off; no heating, no cooking, no hot water. 

I breakfast and drive over to my bank branch in Haywards Heath. I explain my situation to one of the ladies. She claims it is not the police. I insist she listens to all that has happened.

She listens and still refuses to accept any police involvement. She looks up my accounts and tells me the position. 

"Mr. Jones. You have lost nothing. The £10,000 transfer we can put back now. Everything is safe."

At last it dawns on me. It's a SCAM. What a banana! Hook, line and sinker, I have swallowed the lot.

"Mr. Jones. Don't condemn yourself. They are very professional fraudsters."

As I get back to the car my phone rings; "DC White" ready for the new day's action. People around the car park turn to look - what idiot is yelling such blasphemies down his phone?

I still consol myself and think of the adage 'Once bitten, twice ---.' Whoops, must go - somebody ringing me.

If you are at all concerned about a call, hang up and call Sussex Police on 101 to report. Speak to a relative, call your bank and ask someone for advice. Never give anyone your pin number or login.

Sussex Police fraud advice:

You can get further in-person advice from Henfield Computer Club: