- Posted in Police Blog
A 17 year old male has been arrested and charged in connection with a phone scam in St Albans.
At around 6pm on Wednesday, May 14 an elderly couple in the town were telephoned by someone claiming to be a police officer investigating fraudulent activity on their bank account. The person persuaded them to place their bank cards into an envelope and hand it over to a courier, who was sent to collect it.
Police were alerted to the scam by the couple and were able to intercept the courier, preventing the victims’ bank cards being handed over to the offender(s).
The 17 year old, who is from Islington, was charged with fraud by false representation and is due to appear at Central West Hertfordshire Youth Court on May 28.
Detective Constable Paul Cullinan, from St Albans Local Crime Unit, said: “We are continuing to make arrests in connection with phone scams and our approach to those involved in this type of crime will not waiver. Whilst this is the case, I would still urge people to remain alert to the scam and be aware that police and banks would:
NEVERÂ ask for your bank account details or PIN number over the phone, so do not disclose these to anyone, no matter who they claim to be.
NEVERÂ ask you to withdraw money and send it to them via a courier, taxi or by any other means.
NEVERÂ ask you to send your bank cards, or any other personal property, to them via courier, taxi or by any other means.
“If you are not happy with a phone call and are suspicious of the conversation you have with the caller then please end the call and contact police via the non-emergency number, 101.
“It’s important to remember, when reporting a suspicious phone call to police, to wait at least five minutes before attempting to make the call to ensure you’re not reconnected to the offender.
“Alternatively, use a mobile phone or a neighbour’s phone or test your landline by phoning a friend or relative first, to ensure you aren’t still unwittingly connected to the offender.â€
Anyone with any information in relation to phone scams should contact Hertfordshire Constabulary via the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively call Crimestoppers, the independent charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111 .
For further information about phone scams please visit www.herts.police.uk/PhoneScams
