Police can swoop quickly when bank staff call 999
Bank staff in Devon or Cornwall who call 999 when they think a customer is about to inadvertently send money to fraudsters have prevented £820,000 of crime in just four months.
A scheme called the Banking Protocol started in the region in July. Police can then turn up at bank branches before money is transferred, and subsequently support potential victims. They say this kind of fraud can be financially and emotionally distressing, and that many of the victims targeted are vulnerable or elderly.
The Banking Protocol, as it's called involves police, trading standards and the Post Office working together. Inspector John Shuttleworth says it's helped them target phone, doorstep and online scams too.
Police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez says financial fraud the most prevalent crime in the country.
People can can learn more on how to avoid becoming victims by signing up to the ‘Friends against scams’ campaign being run by National Trading Standards. Check out http://www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk
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