In recent years, various types of scams have been widely discussed, with elderly individuals often being the primary victims. Most people have heard of scams such as the "grandchild scam" or the "police officer scam," which aim to fraudulently obtain money from victims. Unfortunately, criminals continuously modify their methods and use increasingly sophisticated scams. Recently, new schemes have been observed, focusing not only on directly acquiring money from victims but also on obtaining their personal data, which is then used for fraudulent purposes, such as taking out loans in the victim’s name.
A high risk group
Elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable to various scams and fraud attempts. Criminals often cynically exploit seniors' gullibility and their lack of knowledge about modern technology. Despite extensive awareness campaigns, many elderly people (and not only them) still fall victim to well-known fraud patterns, sometimes losing significant amounts of money. The problem is further complicated by the fact that fraudsters are constantly changing and refining their methods. Recently, they have increasingly focused on acquiring personal data, which is then used to impersonate the victim.
The "Phone Book" Scam
The "phone book" scam is a new tactic used by fraudsters. It involves a telephone scam where the fraudster calls the victim, posing as a representative of a telecommunications company, and informs them that a new phone book is being compiled. The scammer then asks if the person is interested, and upon receiving a positive response, they end the call. A few weeks later, someone claiming to be a courier arrives at the victim’s door with the so-called phone book and demands payment, threatening legal action if the victim refuses to pay. In such cases, the fraudster will likely insist that the victim entered into a verbal agreement over the phone and attempt to intimidate them into paying.
A new version of the "police officer" scam
A new variant of the "police officer" scam has also emerged. This time, instead of directly extorting money, fraudsters aim to obtain personal data that can be used to secure financial obligations, such as loans. The scammer calls the potential victim, claiming that the police have caught criminals with forged identification documents and asks for verification of the victim’s details. Using the fraudulently obtained data (such as the national identification number, passport or ID card series and number, etc.), the scammers attempt to take out loans or other financial commitments in the victim’s name.
How to protect yourself
Regardless of the methods and psychological tactics used by fraudsters, the best defense is, above all, general caution. In the case of the "phone book" scam, it is crucial to verify suspicious calls allegedly coming from a telecommunications company. If in doubt, it is best to end the call immediately. It is also important to remember that simply answering "yes" to a question about being interested in a service does not create a legally binding contract. If someone claiming to be a courier threatens legal consequences for failing to pay for an unsolicited item, the best course of action may be to contact the police.
One of the most effective ways to prevent the fraudulent use of personal data is to lock (restrict) your national identification number (PESEL in Poland). If the PESEL number is restricted, criminals will generally be unable to take out loans or open financial accounts in the victim’s name. Locking the PESEL number is free and very simple to do.