Seniors are the focus of brazen fraudsters

The police advise: Be suspicious of strangers

In recent years, fraudsters have developed various perfidious ways to get hold of senior citizens' savings. In doing so, they specifically take advantage of the good nature and helpfulness of the 60-plus generation. Grandchildren's tricks, fake police officers or craftsmen's tricks are just a few examples of criminal activities. The police clarify the most well-known scams and give tips against brazen fraudsters.

One of the most common types of fraud at the moment is the appearance of “fake police officers”. The perpetrators pretend to be police officers on the phone and pretend that burglars are after the victims' savings. Finally, a handover date is set so that the supposed police officers can take the valuables to a safe place. Using various pretexts over the phone, they then try to get their victims to hand over money and valuables in the house or bank to a stranger who also poses as a police officer. The perpetrators use a special technology that causes the police emergency number 110 or another local telephone number to appear on the phone display of the person being called. They don't shy away from showing fake police ID cards at the front door in order to gain access to their victims' four walls.

This is what the police recommend

So that you can live safely from these fraudsters, the police recommend:

• As a general rule, do not allow strangers into your apartment.
• Demand ID cards from alleged officials, such as police officers.
• If you have the slightest doubt, call the authority where the alleged official comes from. Find the telephone number of the authority yourself or ask the directory directory to give it to you. Important: During this time, have the visitor wait in front of the locked door.
• The police will never ask you for any amount of money.
• Do not reveal details about your financial situation over the phone.
• Don't let yourself be put under pressure on the phone. Just hang up.
• Never give money to unknown people.

Another frequently used trick is the so-called “grandchild trick”. Here too, the possible consequences for the victims are often existential. They can lose very large amounts of money or even be deprived of their living savings. Using the words “Guess who is speaking here” or similar formulations, fraudsters call people who are mostly older and live alone, pretend to be relatives, grandchildren or even good acquaintances and ask for cash at short notice. The reason is a fake financial shortage or emergency, for example an accident or buying a car or computer. The situation is always presented as extremely urgent. Those affected are often put under pressure by repeated calls. As soon as the victim wants to pay, a messenger is announced who will pick up the money. If the person concerned does not have the required amount ready, they should go to the bank immediately and withdraw the amount there.

Trick variations

“Door-to-door fraud” is another method of selling overpriced services or products, especially to older people. The perpetrators appear in very different roles: sometimes they pose as a seriously dressed businessman, sometimes they present themselves as a craftsman in work clothes, as a person in need of help or even as an alleged official. The same applies here:

• Before opening the door, take a close look at visitors through the peephole or window.
• Only open the door with the locking bar in place.
• Don't let strangers into your home. Appoint strangers again at a later date when someone you trust is present.
• Defend yourself vigorously against intrusive visitors, speak to them loudly or call for help.
• As a general rule, ask officials to show your ID card and check it carefully for print, photo and stamp.
• If in doubt, call the appropriate authority before entering. Find their phone number yourself.
• Only allow tradesmen into your apartment that you have appointed yourself or that have been announced by the property management.
• Do not sign anything under time pressure and do not allow yourself to be impressed or confused.
• Read the contract terms carefully and have them explained to you if necessary.
• Do not sign for alleged gifts or acknowledgments of visits.
• Make an agreement with neighbors who are at home during the day to provide each other with assistance if unknown visitors come to the apartment door.
• Remember: Banks, savings banks, police or other authorities never send “money changers” or “counterfeit money checkers” to your home. If such people appear, notify the police immediately.

The background to this special information for older people is that seniors' fear of criminal threats has increased in recent decades. Many studies prove this. The fact that older people are significantly less likely to become victims of crime compared to other age groups is of little reassurance. Their subjective perception limits their sense of security and thus also affects their quality of life.

The brochure “Living Safely” contains further information about the risks of crime and how seniors can protect themselves. Guide for the elderly and the young at heart”. The brochure is available free of charge from police advice centers or can be downloaded at: www.polizei-beratung.de/medienangebot/thema/betrug/

You can download this press release and press photos on various crime prevention topics at: www.polizei-beratung.de/presse.

POLICE CRIME PREVENTION PROFILE PROGRAM

The state and federal police crime prevention program (ProPK) aims to educate the population, multipliers, media and other prevention agencies about the manifestations of crime and ways to prevent it. This is done, among other things, through crime-preventive press and public relations work and through the development and publication of media, measures and concepts that support local police departments and other institutions, such as schools, in their prevention work.

Press release via polizei-beratung.de