October 5, 11:30, Fraud, Östergötland County

Over the past month, we have seen older people being defrauded of both money and valuable possessions in, among other places, Katrineholm, Strängnäs, Eskilstuna, Nyköping and Norrköping. 

What many of these crimes have in common is the method used. The scammer calls older people and claims that they have rented a car. In several of the incidents, the caller claims that the car has not been returned. In several cases, the call leads to someone coming to the victim’s home and seizing valuable jewellery or other belongings. The scammer who comes to visit sometimes claims to be a police officer. 

Only one similar incident has been reported in Linköping in recent days, but we want to warn the public once again so that we can prevent more people in the region from being targeted. 

**Protect yourself against scammers’ tricks
**•    If someone calls you with a similar story to the ones above, or in some other way seems suspicious, hang up. 

•    Never identify yourself using BankID, and never disclose codes from your bank token or payment card if someone asks for them.

•    Legitimate companies, organisations and authorities never contact you and ask you to log in or disclose personal information in this way.

•    Do not trust the person calling, even if they seem credible and have personal information about you.

•    Do not let any strangers into your home. A police officer would never visit you at home intending to secure any jewellery or similar items. 

•    Always contact the police if you think that you, or someone close to you, has been targeted by even an attempted crime of this kind. If it is ongoing, call 112.

Talk to your loved ones so they do not lose their valuable possessions and assets. You can read more about in-person phone scams and similar despicable crimes in the link below.