Sutton Ward

INDEPENDENT THINKING FOR SUTTON WARD

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“Detective” Scams £6,000 from Misterton Resident

Councillor Hazel Brand, District Councillor for The Misterton Ward and also member of Misterton Parish Council tells us of a scam that has played out in Misterton and will likely be a try on elsewhere in the area. The Parish Council were advised of a scam last week. Cllr Brand posted a warning on the Parish Council’s Facebook page – but the next day heard that someone had fallen for it. The scam involves an individual posing as a “fraud detective” who is supposedly investigating a banking fraud inflicted upon the victim by the victim’s bank. The victim was initially contacted by phone and advised that a fraudulent transaction had occurred on their bank account. The victim was asked not to contact the bank for fear of tipping off the perpetrators (the bank personnel) and to withdraw a certain sum of money. That sum of money would be removed temporarily from the account (collected in person by the scammer) and then paid back into the victim’s bank account (plus a fee for the transaction/going to the bank etc.). In the event the approach was convincing enough for the lady victim to provide and to lose £6,000.

Councillor Brand explained that she had been advised of the scam by a resident last Friday and posted the warning; then on Saturday, a victim came to see her. The caller who perpetrated the scam phone call was seemingly very kind, caring, solicitous, kept in touch by phone during the day, etc, etc.
 
 
Interestingly, as Hazel explained “It was a Friday and the money pick-up was in the early evening. So the victim couldn’t do anything all weekend. Deliberate timing, I’d say. Both the first caller (advising of the scam) and this one, said how plausible the story sounded”.
 
 
Would you have fallen for this? No doubt more people will be approached so keep your wits about you!
 
Do not get into conversation with someone you don’t know. Check it out with a street-wise friend/neighbour, family, the Parish Council – anyone. But don’t get drawn into conversation – these scammers are skilled at saying the right thing, sounding like a concerned professional. Remember anyone can say the right thing, sound convincing, if there’s a few grand at the end of it.

Get in touch with Action Fraud (www.actionfraud@police.uk or ring 0300 123 2040) if you are approached.

If anyone saw a light-coloured van in the Grange estate area in Misterton last Friday (20 Nov) at around 6/6.30pm – or has CCTV that might have picked it up – please get in touch with us and Councillor Brand through the contact form on this website.

Please remain vigilant and report any similar suspicious activity to Notts Police using the 101 telephone number.