Elderly in North Durban targeted by bank scam
Several cases of vishing, where fraudsters use phone calls that trick victims into providing personal information, like passwords or bank details, have been reported at the Durban North Police Station.
IN the last few months, the Durban North Police Station has been on a mission to spread awareness on vishing and online scams.
Vishing refers to fraudsters using phone calls that trick victims into providing personal information, like passwords or bank details.
The station has recorded cases in the past where residents lose amounts between R13 000 and R60 000.
One of the targets of such a scam has been the elderly, and that is no different for residents and staff at Twilanga Retirement Village and Care Centre.
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The most common vishing scam is where the suspect poses as a bank official and will concoct a story asking you to provide confidential information.
In some cases, they allege there’s an issue with your account and they need your banking details and Pin to rectify the issue.
Twilanga resident Annemarie Lane said she’s been targeted at least four times from different numbers, and all of them allege there is ‘fraudulent activity’ on her account.
“They know what bank you’re with most of the time. In each of the times they phoned me, they pretended to be a bank official explaining there was fraudulent activity on my account, and they needed details to stop it from happening. They asked me for my banking details, and I knew immediately they were lying. I usually put the phone down the minute I realise they are trying to scam me. I’ve also tried to spread the word to my fellow friends and residents about vishing. I do feel sorry for those who fall prey to this because they try and confuse you and cause panic,” the 76-year-old said.
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Mariann Hendriks, nursing manager at Twilanga, said the suspects involved in this widespread scam had targeted both her and her friends.
“I think they target the elderly because not everyone is as tech-savvy, however, I will say that it isn’t only the elderly that are vulnerable. In my group of friends, I know of several who’ve been phoned with the same story. In fact, with me, the guy convinced me to go into my app after alleging fraudulent activity. He said I needed to create a special password. He told me to click on the seventh option on my banking app which happened to be ‘Pay new beneficiary’, and I was immediately onto him. I said I would rather go into my bank to sort this out, and the minute I did, he said, ‘You can’t go into your bank’, and then promptly hung up,” Hendriks said.
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