Bank Employees Vigilantly Foil Financial Fraud
In Mettmann County, North Rhine-Westphalia, telephone scams targeting elderly residents have become a concerning issue. On May 4, 2025, a 79-year-old resident fell victim to a scam, attempting to make transfers totaling a five-figure amount.
How Common Are These Scams in Mettmann County?
While exact local statistics might not be frequently published, Mettmann County is not immune to such scams. North Rhine-Westphalia, as a populous and economically developed federal state, sees a notable number of fraud reports targeting senior citizens. Elderly individuals are often targeted as they may be more trusting and less familiar with modern scam tactics. Local police and consumer protection agencies usually report spikes in phone fraud, especially around holidays or tax seasons.
Measures to Combat Telephone Scams in Mettmann County
The Mettmann police issue warnings and advice, encouraging residents to be cautious of unsolicited calls. They run campaigns to educate seniors about recognizing scam tactics and urge them to verify the identity of callers before sharing any personal information or money. Increasing collaboration with other law enforcement agencies is also a key strategy for tracking and apprehending scammers.
Public awareness campaigns, community vigilance programs, and consumer protection services are also employed to combat telephone scams in Mettmann County. Local government and senior citizen organizations hold informational sessions, distribute flyers, and run announcements warning about common scams. Encouraging family members and neighbors to discuss scam tactics and stay connected with elderly residents to monitor suspicious activities or calls they receive is also important.
Additional Tips for Elderly Residents
- Never provide personal or financial information over the phone unless you are certain of the caller’s identity.
- Use call blocking or caller ID features to avoid unknown numbers.
- Report suspected fraud attempts immediately to local police.
If you or someone you know is in Mettmann and wants specific advice or assistance, contacting the local police or consumer protection center directly is recommended. The Mettmann County Police Authority can be contacted at Adalbert-Bach-Platz 14, 40822 Mettmann.
The Mettmann County Police Authority also has a WhatsApp channel (https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAl7vKEgGfNSUkFwp3g) and a Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/Polizei.NRW.ME). The telephone number for the Mettmann County Police Authority is 02104 982-1010, and the fax number is 02104 982-1028. Emails can be sent to [email protected].
As head of the Mettmann County Police Authority, Thomas Hendele stated that combating crimes against the elderly is a top priority, and they are working intensively to expose and counteract the methods used by perpetrators. In 2022, the Mettmann County Police Authority recorded a total damage of approximately 2 million euros from successful cases of crimes against the elderly.
Thomas Hendele, head of the Mettmann County Police Authority, visited the bank employees Bernd Kunda and Claudia Pocha at the Ratingen branch on May 28, 2025, to express his thanks for their quick action in preventing significant financial loss after the elderly resident became suspicious and filed a police report. The resident's quick action and the bank employee's swift response highlight the importance of vigilance and collaboration in combating telephone scams in Mettmann County.
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