Swindlers committed in telephone scams neglecting a pension payout (worth 84 units)
In a recent incident, a pensioner in Germany successfully avoided falling victim to a phone scam that targeted her with a false medical emergency. This type of scam, where fraudsters impersonate authorities or medical personnel to gain trust and request money or valuables, is unfortunately quite common in the country.
The pensioner, who wished to remain anonymous, received a call from an individual claiming to be from a hospital. The scammer fabricated an urgent situation involving her son, alleging that he was critically ill and needed immediate financial assistance.
Recognising the suspicious nature of the call, the pensioner took immediate action. She asked for the caller's name and official identification, a practice that is recommended by the police to verify the authenticity of such calls. Upon realising that the caller could not provide any verifiable information, she promptly ended the conversation.
The pensioner then contacted her local police, reporting the incident. She also reached out to her daughter-in-law, who confirmed that her son was safe and well, further confirming the scam.
The police in Germany advise that if you receive a suspicious call, you should always ask for the caller’s name and official identification. They also recommend hanging up and independently calling the local police emergency number 110 to verify the claim, as calls supposedly from police never actually show "110" on the caller ID.
It is crucial to never share personal, financial information over the phone or hand over money or valuables to strangers, even if they claim to be police officers or officials. If you are a victim of such a scam, it is important to report it to the police and consumer advice centres (Verbraucherzentrale) and keep records of any communications.
Though specific data on the frequency of scams involving false medical emergencies in Germany was not found in the retrieved sources, the common targeting of elderly individuals with alarming stories suggests this is a known tactic within phone scams. Additional security awareness and verification practices are vital to protect vulnerable populations from such fraud.
The pensioner's quick thinking and swift action were praised by the police, setting an example for others to follow. By staying vigilant and informed, we can all help prevent falling victim to these types of scams.
The pensioner's experience highlights the importance of practising general-news awareness, particularly in the realm of personal-finance and crime-and-justice. In a situation where a caller presented a false medical emergency, the pensioner wisely followed the police's advice by asking for the caller's name and official identification, thus thwarting the scam.
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