Phone Scammers Target Over 50’s

Gwenda Thomas AM today supported Age Concern Cymru and Help the Aged in Wales in warning older people to be aware of thieves who steal bank details and other personal information over the phone and on the doorstep.

The most recent high-profile case is of BT customers being targeted by scammers wrongly telling them that they were in arrears with their phone bills and threatened with having their phone lines cut off unless they agreed to settle their bills. Once they have agreed to pay their bills and disclosed their bank details over the phone the criminals then use this information to steal money from their bank accounts.

Age Concern Cymru and Help the Aged in Wales is offering advice for older people so that they can take to protect themselves from phone scams.

Gwenda Thomas AM stressed, ‘Never divulge your bank and card details to cold callers as criminals will pose as salespeople or representatives and then use your personal information to steal from your bank account. Do not be afraid to put the phone down on them particularly if they become impatient or aggressive.’

Mrs Thomas also agreed with the advice given by Age Concern Cymru and Help the Aged Wales by saying, ‘If you have given your information to someone and are concerned do not hesitate and contact your bank and the police immediately. These people are criminals and need to be stopped and prosecuted.’