Sydenham pensioner saved from £2,500 scam
A fast-response trading standards team at Lewisham town hall joined the police to thwart dodgy builders attempting to con £2,500 from an elderly Sydenham resident.
Following a tip-off under banking protocol that a council resident had withdrawn an unusual amount of cash, officers dashed to the address to catch the builders, who immediately ran off without the cash.
They had removed fencing as part of works they convinced the resident was essential.
The banking protocol is a system where banks and credit unions report any suspicious activities or unusual withdrawals to the police and the council’s Safer Communities Service to prevent such frauds.
The targeted resident – whos age and address are not being divulged – has now been listed as a vulnerable person on enforcement systems and council officers worked with him so he can identify any scams in the future. Officers also contacted relatives to help prevent further incidents.
The council’s Trading Standards and Police work closely together to prevent such doorstep crime, which in addition to robbing people’s life savings often undermines their confidence to continue living independently in the community.
This case is a timely reminder for residents to be wary of potential scam on what is International Fraud Awareness Week.
Councillor Chris Barnham, member for Community Safety said: “Our officers do great work chasing off unscrupulous doorstep criminals, but they rely on early alerts to prevent serious rip offs.
“With the cost-of-living crisis, criminals are more likely to try and take advantage of vulnerable people, so it’s really important that friends, relatives and neighbours are alert to dodgy builders, and scammers in general, targeting people in our community.”
Residents are encouraged to report fraud to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or call police immediately if it has happened in the last 24 hours.
The Citizens Advice Bureau also has helpful advice on what to do and how to prevent scams.
Pictured top: Lewisham town hall (Picture: Wikimedia Commons / N Chadwick)
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