Darwen man loses £4,000 in bank scam. Police advise caution and offer tips to avoid fraud.
On February 3, a Darwen man got a call. The caller pretended to be from his bank. They said his account was at risk.
The scammer told him something else. He had to put his cards in an envelope. Someone from “the bank” would pick them up, coming right to his house.
He gave them his cards. Later, he learned £4,000 was gone. He had become a victim of fraud.
Police said it was a terrible crime. A vulnerable person thought he was helping and believed he was protecting his money. Sadly, he dealt with heartless criminals running a complex con.
The police shared advice to help protect you. Your bank will never ask for your PIN and won’t pick up cards from your home.
Sign up for the Telephone Preference Service; it helps stop unwanted sales calls. If you doubt a call, hang up right away. Use another phone, or wait a bit; then, call your bank, Action Fraud, or police. Scammers keep lines open sometimes.
Install a call blocker on your phone if possible; these apps or services are available. If a call worries you, tell someone you trust.
Report scam calls to Action Fraud online, or call them at 0300 123 2040. You can also contact the police by calling 101.