New scams warning as Hartlepool pensioner loses £4,500 to phone fraudster posing as police officer

Hartlepool Trading Standards say they have dealt with a number of calls recently after residents were contacted by scams from a number of different sources.

A number of elderly residents have lost large amounts of cash through so called courier fraud where a scammer claimed to be a police officer and over time convinced the victims to transfer money out of their bank account.

In one case an elderly woman lost £4,500.

Ian Harrison, Hartlepool Trading Standards and Licensing Manager, said: “The police nor your bank will ever contact you in this way!”

Mr Harrison said examples of other scams taking place at the moment are those that promise the victim a share of a large sum of money in return for a small up-front payment appearing to be from Amazon, internet service providers such as Virgin or BT.

Fraudsters may also claim to be from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs over an unpaid tax bill.

Related story: Hartlepool pensioner tried to withdraw hundreds from bank after falling for scam call

Mr Harrison added: “The threatening pre-recorded messages all revolve around the same theme and that is to scare the recipient in to pressing 1 and speaking to the operator at the end of the phone which allows them to follow through on the scamming process.

“We can categorically state that this is most definitely a scam and you should never press 1 to query what was said during the recorded message.

“In a time where we can’t visit our older relatives as we want to, it is essential we speak to them about these kinds of calls to give them the information, reassure them and give them the confidence to just ignore the messages they hear.

"Knowledge is power and prevention is better than a cure.”

Hartlepool Trading Standards Team can be contacted for advice or to query a call that you have received on (01429) 523362.

Local health chiefs are also warning people to be aware after reports of scam phone calls, emails and texts offering Covid vaccines for money.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust says the vaccine is free to all and people will be contacted when it is their turn to have it.

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