Warning about shock calls: scammers pretend to be police officers!

Warning about shock calls: scammers pretend to be police officers!

In Saxony-Anhalt, there are increasing reports of unsolicited telephone calls aimed at depriving unsuspecting citizens of their money. The police have registered an increase in so-called shock calls in which fraudsters pretend to be police officers and make their victims believe that they have to pay high bail due to a traffic accident. Pressure is deliberately built up and people are asked to provide valuables or cash. What is particularly alarming is that older people between the ages of 72 and 88 are particularly affected. However, all callers who reported were prudent and informed the police instead of giving in to the attempted fraud, reports Welt.

The Magdeburg police station has already given concrete tips on how to protect yourself from such scams. It is advisable not to let unknown people into your home and, if in doubt, to ask for your work ID. Anyone who receives a call from supposedly official persons should definitely check the job title or the authority from which the caller is supposed to come from. A quick check of the phone number or obtaining information from relatives is highly recommended. Anyone who is put under pressure should simply hang up, because the police will never ask for money over the phone, as MDR reports.

Psychological tricks used by fraudsters

The fraudsters' methods are sophisticated and often based on psychological tricks. As the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) warns, the perpetrators not only pose as police officers, but also use the identities of relatives who are supposedly in distress. This can be the case if it is pretended that a relative has been involved in an accident and now urgently needs money. The perpetrators put their victims under pressure and often demand large amounts of money. It is not uncommon for sums of up to 100,000 euros to be requested. Multiple callers often act as a team and appear to take turns during the conversation to increase the shock factor. This makes it all the more important to keep calm and not respond to the demands, says the BKA in its warning, which can be found at BKA.

The police recommend not to reveal any personal or financial information in the event of a shock call and to always contact the local police station if anything is unclear. Advice from legal or psychological advice centers such as the “WEISSER RING” can also be helpful.

Ultimately, it is up to each and every individual to protect themselves and their assets. Responding prudently to such calls can not only prevent financial loss, but also protect senior citizens from fraud. Stay alert and stay informed! Because it's better to be safe than sorry - this is especially true in such delicate cases.