Fraud attempt on elderly East Grinstead woman

The victim received a call at 12.10pm on Tuesday (April 1) in Badgers Way from a man who said he was a police officer from Hammersmith. He had arrested someone who was in possession of her bank card and there had been three transactions made on her account.

When she checked her handbag and found her cards she became upset and suspicious. The caller said she needed to cancel her card he would phone her back.

She phoned her sister and when they checked with her bank, they discovered no money had been withdrawn or transactions made.

They then reported the call to Sussex police and discovered it was a scam.

Detective Inspector Mark Cullimore said: “Fortunately this woman did not fall prey to this scam.

“Never give out your bank or card details to someone who has contacted you on your home phone unsolicited. The caller keeps the line open and will pretend to be from whoever you think you have just rung, so if you have any suspicions do not use the phone you have just been called on. Use a mobile or someone else’s phone or wait at least 10 minutes before trying to call.

“Please pass this message on to anyone you know who may not be aware of this particular type of targeted fraud to prevent any vulnerable friends or family members from becoming victims.”

Anyone who has any information about this incident should call police on 101 quoting serial 0716 of 01/4.