E-fit released in hunt for fraudsters duping elderly people out of money
Published: 00:00, 29 January 2014
Updated: 10:07, 29 January 2014
Detectives investigating alleged fraud incidents in Dartford and Gravesend have issued an efit of a man they would like to speak to.
Kent Police is investigating 13 telephone scams that have been reported since December.
Each time the suspect has targeted elderly or vulnerable people and tried to obtain their bank card and details.
Out of the 13 reported incidents, eight victims handed over their bank card and details.
Each time the victim is called by someone claiming to be a police officer who explains that their bank card has been fraudulently used.
The suspect advises the victim to contact their bank to cancel their card or offers to transfer their call to the ‘national fraud line’.
The fraudster never hangs up while the victim thinks they are calling their bank or being transferred to the ‘national fraud line’.
The suspect then pretends to be from the bank or ‘national fraud line’ and obtains card details and the PIN number from the victim.
They then arrange for a courier to collect the bank card from the victim’s address.
Money is then withdrawn from the account.
One of the reported incidents occurred on January 3.
A Northfleet woman in her 80s handed over both her and her husband’s bank card and later found that £600 had been withdrawn from both accounts.
DC Hollie Brown said: "Police, banks and other reputable organisations will never ask for bank card PIN numbers.
"If you are suspicious about anyone who claims to be a police officer make a note of as much information as possible and contact the police using a different telephone to the one you received the suspicious call on.
"Do not give out any bank card details, such as your PIN number, over the phone and never hand over any bank cards to someone who calls at your door.
"I would urge people to explain this scam to their friends and family and be vigilant of anyone trying to scam you or someone you know."
If you recognise the efit or have information about this incident, contact DC Hollie Brown on 01474 366072 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.