Police issue warning following reports of a telephone fraud scam

Police are urging the public to remain vigilant and not be fooled by online and telephone fraud scams after a woman is nearly defrauded out of £27,000.

Police are currently investigating an incident which saw a 75-year-old woman contacted by someone claiming to be from BT, who said that they were investigating online hackers and needed her to install some applications on her computer.

Without realising, the woman had installed applications that enabled the fraudsters to remotely access her computer and had provided them with her bank details which resulted in her very nearly being defrauded out of £27,000.

Fortunately, staff at her bank spotted the unusual online activity on her account and were able to put a stop to the transactions, but this was a deeply distressing situation for the woman who came very close to losing her life savings. She has also had to go through the lengthy process of changing her email address, passwords, phone numbers and bank details.

Constable Richard Foulkes, from West Mercia Police said:  "We take reports of this nature very seriously and while enquiries are ongoing, this incident is currently being investigated as part of a wider West Mercia Police initiative called Project Prospero, aimed at tackling online and courier fraud.

"These fraudsters are often very convincing and give the person they are calling no reason to believe they are not genuine. If you think someone is trying to scam you, tell someone straight away. Don't be pressured. Give yourself time to stop and think. If in any doubt, hang up the phone and do not provide your personal banking details.

"If anyone receives a call like this we would always advise them to report the incident either to police or Action Fraud. If you can, ring 1471 to see if you can get the number the caller was calling from too.
 
"These criminals tend to  prey on and target people who are elderly or vulnerable and we would always ask anyone who has an elderly or vulnerable relative, friend or neighbour to make sure they are aware of what to do should be they receive one of these calls to prevent them from falling victim."