26 May 2020

Canberra retirees targeted in bank card fraud scheme

| Michael Weaver
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Credit card fraud

Police are reminding members of the public, especially the elderly, to never give their bank or personal details out. Photo: File.

A man will face court in NSW today for allegedly committing credit card fraud against elderly residents of retirement villages and residential complexes in the ACT and NSW.

Police will allege the man stole bank cards then called the owners and obtained information from them which enabled him to withdraw cash from ATMs.

Police have been told 15 residents from retirement villages and residential complexes received phone calls between January and April from a man purporting to be from their bank.

The man allegedly targeted elderly residents in Canberra as well as East Maitland, East Gosford, Tahmoor, Tuggerah Lakes, Belmont and Dapto.

In February 2020, officers from Hume Police District commenced an investigation into the offences allegedly committed against older members of the community.

Following extensive inquiries, investigators went to a home in Springfield near Gosford at about 8.30 am yesterday (25 May) and arrested a 45-year-old man.

A search warrant was executed at the home a short time later, with officers seizing mobile phones, cannabis, banking documentation and clothing.

The man was taken to Woy Woy Police Station where he was charged with 19 counts of dishonestly obtaining property by deception and possession of a prohibited drug.

He was refused bail and is expected to face Newcastle Local Court today.

Investigations are continuing and police are reminding members of the public, especially vulnerable people such as the elderly, to never give their bank or personal details out.

A NSW Police spokesperson said those who are concerned their details have been fraudulently obtained are urged to contact their local police station.

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