In the tranquil coastal town of Gerringong, a disturbing scam has surfaced, targeting the most vulnerable in our community. A 95-year-old woman fell prey to a sinister fraud, a stark reminder that no one is immune to the devious tactics of scammers, especially our elderly loved ones.
The scam began with a phone call from a local number, a tactic designed to disarm the elderly woman who was cautious about answering calls from unfamiliar area codes. The caller, having an Australian accent, spun a tale of a bank robbery and convinced her that she needed a new bank card immediately. The scammer engaged the woman in conversation for an hour and a half to build trust and extract detailed personal and financial information.
As the sun set, a car arrived to collect her bank card from the mailbox, a move that would lead to the theft of $16,000 from her account. The funds were rapidly depleted through purchases at electronics stores and automatic teller machine (ATM) withdrawals. The shock and violation of this incident left the elderly victim devastated.
The response from Bendigo Bank, where the woman’s account was held, has been met with outrage from the victim’s family. Despite having closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the suspect at an ATM, the bank refused to refund the stolen money, stating that ‘Bendigo Bank will never ask a customer to leave a card out to be collected, request customer details; including PINs; or request customers transfer money, download software or login via a link sent through email or SMS’ and that the victim had willingly given her card and personal details to an unknown third party.
This incident is an example of how scammers are refining their methods to exploit the trust and vulnerability of seniors. It’s a wake-up call for all of us to take proactive steps to protect ourselves and loved ones from such scams. Here are some crucial measures to consider:
- Educate and inform: Regularly discuss with your family members the types of scams that are prevalent and the tactics scammers use. Be skeptical of unsolicited calls, especially those requesting personal or financial information.
- Strengthen security: Ensure that you have strong, unique passwords for your accounts and that you never share PINs or passwords with anyone. Consider setting up additional security measures with your bank, such as transaction alerts.
- Monitor financial activity: Keep an eye on bank statements and accounts for unusual activity. Many banks offer services that can help monitor and protect accounts from fraudulent transactions.
- Report and act: If you or a loved one becomes a victim of a scam, report it immediately to the bank and the authorities. Quick action can sometimes help in recovering lost funds and will alert the authorities to the scam.
- Community vigilance: Encourage community awareness. Neighbours looking out for each other can be a powerful defense against scammers who often target isolated individuals.
The continued targeting of the 95-year-old woman in Gerringong, even after the initial scam, shows the relentless nature of these criminals. It’s a reminder that we must remain vigilant and supportive of those who may be more susceptible to such deceit.
As a society, we must demand better protections and responses from institutions like banks, which have the resources to help prevent these crimes and support victims. The introduction of tools like Bendigo Bank’s NameCheck is a step in the right direction, but there is still much work to be done to ensure the safety and security of all customers, especially the elderly.
Have you or someone you know ever experienced a similar situation? What additional steps do you think banks and authorities should take to safeguard the elderly from such scams? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Also read: Most Aussie banks are lagging in the battle against email and phishing scams, new research finds
