Rewe employee saves 84-year-old from expensive voucher fraud!

Rewe employee saves 84-year-old from expensive voucher fraud!

In a Rewe branch in Lübeck, St. Lorenz Nord, an elderly woman almost fell victim to a scam on Tuesday evening. Fortunately, deputy branch manager Olaf Wendt was able to intervene in time. The lady, 84 years old, wanted to buy voucher cards worth 500 euros to give as a birthday present to her grandchildren. A common reason that made Wendt suspicious: “Grandparents usually take cash for gifts.” With this the first suspicion was sown, and his vigilance was of great importance.

During the conversation, Wendt learned that the lady had allegedly won 38,000 euros in a competition. “That sounded unlikely to me, so I asked,” explains Wendt. These questions led to the realization that the vouchers were not intended for the grandchildren, but as a fee for handing over the fictitious prize. At that moment it became clear that there was an attempted fraud. Wendt immediately informed the police and asked the lady to wait until the officers arrived. They explained the fraud to her and escorted her home safely.

Scams and their target groups

As Wendt notes, he is always alert when there is suspicion of fraud. This was the first such incident at his branch, but such tricks are not unknown in the region. It is a phenomenon that particularly affects older people, who are often lured into the trap of fraudsters through targeted deception. The Pflegehilfe Seniors platform also reports that criminal scams specifically target seniors in order to exploit their trust, while in many cases they operate with tricks and false promises.https://www.pflegehilfe-senioren.de/pflegeratgeber/leben-im-alter/tipps/betrugspraevention-fuer-senioren/

But how can you as a senior protect yourself from such fraudulent schemes? “It is frightening that many of the fraud attempts take the form of competitions, shock calls or the grandchild trick,” the website warns. Fraudsters pose as relatives or police officers - a particularly perfidious craft. The police recommend being skeptical about unknown calls and checking the caller's identity by asking specific questions. It is important not to make decisions under pressure and to always consult a relative if you are unsure.

Community and responsibility

The responsibility for protecting older people in our society is enormous. This makes it all the more important to educate people about such scams. In general, it is advised not to give out personal information over the phone and to always contact the police if you receive suspicious calls to be on the safe side.

Olaf Wendt emphasizes that all employees in his branch are sensitized. Voucher cards are often part of such scams, which is why a watchful eye is always required. The current situation in particular requires that we support our older people, because as the Pflegehilfe Seniors summarizes: “Social responsibility to support and educate older people is necessary”.

Finally, it is to be hoped that further similar incidents can be prevented, as it is not uncommon for those who are most vulnerable in such situations to be affected. Wendt exemplifies the necessary commitment and vigilance that is needed in these challenging times.