Urgent scam warning issued after Hartlepool resident told their life was in danger

Cleveland Police say the resident, who is in their 60s, received a number of phone calls from two people purporting to be from a “fraud department” and asked them to transfer money from their account.

Officers have now reminded the public that they would never ask for bank details or instruct anyone to transfer money into another account.

They have also urged the public to speak to elderly neighbours, family members and friends about phone scams to ensure they are aware and don’t fall victim to fraudulent callers.

The caller appeared to be ringing from the number overseas callers use to contact police (01642 326326), so the call did seem legitimate.

The resident contacted officers on Wednesday night (March 17) having received several calls over a period of hours. Initially a woman contacted the resident saying she was from the “National Insurance Investigation Agency.”

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: “This woman informed the resident someone had opened a large number of bank accounts in their name after they’d got hold of their NI number and they could now be investigated for fraud and money laundering so they should go online and transfer their money into a “safeguarding account”.

“This initial call was followed by a number of others, from a man calling from different numbers. Each time he urged the resident to transfer money.

“When the resident told the man they’d speak with police, he told them their life was in danger, leaving them shaken and afraid.

“We remain in contact with the reporting person (who didn’t transfer any money), and are offering advice and support while inquiries continue.

“Again we’d urge people NOT to engage with unexpected callers and NEVER give any personal details, banking information or agree to transfer money to unexpected callers.

“Please speak to your more elderly or vulnerable friends and family members.”

Anyone who has received a suspicious phone call to report the incident to Cleveland Police via the 101 number.

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