Police urge people to be vigilant of fraudsters contacting elderly Crewe residents

Cheshire Police are warning people in Crewe to be vigilant against fraudsters contacting elderly residents, following a number of concerning incidents reported to police.

There are several reports coming in of incidents where elderly residents have been targeted by scammers posing as police officers.

The fraudsters contacted the victims by phone, claiming to be from the police, telling them their cards had possibly been compromised and that they needed to take action.

This is not the case and police would never phone people asking them to hand over cards or money.

Inspector Dan Welch said:

“This is very concerning. I would urge anyone who has elderly relatives or neighbours to warn them not to be taken in by this scam. There are a number of ways to prevent fraud, and I would advise you make them familiar with these tips to keep them safe from fraudsters.”

Here are some safety tips to help prevent courier fraud:

• Never provide personal or financial information to someone you don't know, especially over the phone.
• If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately.
• Contact your bank directly using a known and trusted phone number to verify any requests for money or sensitive information.
• Never withdraw large sums of money based on instructions from someone claiming to be from the police or a bank.
• If you think you have been a victim of courier fraud, contact the police immediately on 101 or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
• Remember, genuine organisations will never cold call you asking for this information. If you're ever in doubt, hang up and contact the organization directly using a known and trusted phone number.