Sussex Police are leading the way in the creation of a new initiative called Operation Signature, which will help to prevent vulnerable people from being defrauded.
“Fraud is becoming more complex and deceptive, and much of it is targeted at vulnerable and elderly people.”
Sussex Police have started the campaign, Operation Signature which will help to identify and support vulnerable victims of fraud across the country.
The protocol was piloted this year and has already saved a local man from losing more than £23,000.
The customer had contacted his bank, wanting to send over £23,000 to the Chilean Government to release shares. This proposed transaction also had all the hall marks of a scam and the bank promptly contacted Sussex Police officers who visited him.
At first the customer was adamant that it wasn’t a scam and that even if it was he had enough money to absorb the loss, but with patience, and with the support of the bank’s customer care team, the officers were eventually successful in stopping the customer from sending the payment. He even went so far as to ask that his thanks be shared with all involved and that he was impressed with the care and attention he and his wife received
This example shows that potential fraud victims will often contact their bank. Operation Signature, means that if the bank has concerns about a customers’ request, they can contact the police and ‘freeze’ the funds for 72 hours while officers attempt to engage with the individual and ascertain whether or not the transaction is fraudulent.
PC Bernadette Lawrie, who is the Financial Abuse Safeguarding Officer for Surrey and Sussex Police has said:
“Fraudsters have recognised the need to eliminate human contact with the victim as far as possible when aiming to complete bogus financial transactions and our approach to countering this threat needs to be swift and robust.
“This initial (TBP) pilot involves Lloyds, Santander, First Direct and the Co-Op Bank, but with a view to it being spread both nationally and to the other financial institutions. Following a pilot phase it is intended to extend the initiative to include Surrey Police, and it has already been rolled out to Police Scotland.
Sussex Police issued a Fraud Warning earlier this month. They always advice people to:
- Be wary of any calls, texts or emails purporting to be from the police asking for your personal or financial details, or for you to transfer money.
- If you are approached, or feel something is suspicious, hang up the phone and don’t reply. Then report it to Action Fraud and your bank on their advertised numbers
- Never send or give money to anyone you don’t know or trust; check people are who they say they are; don’t share your personal information; make decisions in your own time; and if in doubt phone a relative or a friend.
For more information about Operation Signature and for information and advice about fraud, see the Sussex Police website.
Original author
Tim Mahony
