Residents in Warrington are being warned about a scam that recently targeted a 69-year-old woman in Latchford. The woman received a text message from an unknown number claiming to be her son in trouble and in need of money. Shortly after, she received a call from a different number where the scammer threatened to harm her son if she did not transfer money to them.
Feeling panicked and scared for her son’s safety, the woman transferred £1,000 to the scammer’s bank account. Unfortunately, it was later discovered that her son was never in any danger, and she had fallen victim to a scam.
PC Matthew Jennings from Cheshire Police’s economic crime unit described the incident as shocking and emphasized the importance of being cautious when dealing with unknown callers. He advised residents, especially the elderly and vulnerable, to never provide personal or financial information over the phone to strangers. If you receive a suspicious call, it is best to hang up immediately.
Scammers often use tactics to pressure victims into making hasty decisions, so it’s crucial to stay calm and verify any requests for money or sensitive information. Jennings also warned against withdrawing large sums of money based on instructions from unknown callers, even if they claim to be from the police or a bank.
One common scamming technique mentioned is ‘spoofing’, where scammers manipulate caller ID to appear as a legitimate number. This can make it difficult to distinguish between a real call and a fraudulent one, so it is essential to stay vigilant and skeptical of unexpected requests for money.
If you suspect that you have been targeted by a scam, it is recommended to contact your bank using a trusted phone number to verify any transactions. Additionally, reporting the incident to the police and Action Fraud can help prevent others from falling victim to the same scam.
By sharing your experience, no matter how small, you could potentially assist in uncovering a larger network of scammers and protecting others from financial loss. Stay informed, stay cautious, and remember to always verify the authenticity of any unexpected requests for money or personal information.
