An elderly woman was defrauded of over $11,000 by a scammer posing as a police officer.
The 80-year-old resident of Westmoorings received phone calls from a woman claiming to be attached to the TTPS Fraud Squad.
The caller claimed there were irregularities with the victim’s bank account and requested verification of sensitive banking information.
Believing the matter to be legitimate, she proceeded to share verification codes from her mobile phone.
Subsequent checks revealed unauthorised online transfers from her account to another account, totalling $11,226.77.
TTPS ADVISES THE PUBLIC:
- Do not share verification codes, PINs, or banking information with anyone over the phone or via text message. Banks and police officers will never request sensitive financial information in this manner.
- Be cautious of callers claiming urgency or threatening account issues to pressure you into acting quickly.
- Always verify directly with your bank using official contact numbers if you receive suspicious calls.
- If you receive such a call, hang up immediately.
- Persons who may have received similar calls or believe they have been targeted defrauded are urged to report the matter to the nearest police station or contact the TTPS.
