Whangārei couple scammed out of savings as police issue fraud warning

Police have urged caution after an elderly couple was convinced by a fraudster to hand over Eftpos cards. Photo / 123rf

An elderly couple had tens of thousands of dollars drained from their accounts after a fraudster convinced them to place Eftpos cards and pin numbers in their mailbox.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer said an investigation was under way after the money disappeared from the couple’s accounts over the weekend.

The pair had been contacted by phone about replacing their bank cards. They were told to put them in the mailbox for collection as well as hand over their pin details.

Pilmer, the Whangārei area investigations manager, said the couple was “really distraught”.

“It’s appalling behaviour where trusting members of the community have been deceived to the point their hard-earned money is being taken.”

Police were alerted about the elaborate scheme on Monday. Pilmer urged the community to be vigilant.

He asked families and neighbours to check in on each other.

Fraudsters could be convincing and come across as confident and persuasive, he said.

“No matter how persuasive they are, no bank will ask you to put your Eftpos cards in the letterbox.”

Pilmer said there could be others who had been targeted but may not have come forward.

“The last thing we need right now is other people in the community falling victim to this offending.

“If you’re contacted, hang up immediately and instead contact the bank yourself.”

He said anyone who has been contacted in similar circumstances and has handed over their bank cards should make a report online or call 105.

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.