National prevention campaign: This is how the police want to prevent scare calls

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Manipulate, lie, rob: shock or fraud callers use nasty tricks to get thousands of francs out of people’s pockets. The victims are mainly older women. At least 150 people in Switzerland have been scammed this way this year. And this is just the number of registered victims of shock calls claiming that family members were in danger. The number of unreported cases is likely to be much higher.

Telephone fraud and especially shock calls are increasing throughout Switzerland. Polish and Turkish gangs are mainly behind this. From January to August they have already stolen 11 million francs. Increasing trend.

Now the Swiss security authorities want to intervene. On the one hand, they network internationally. And on Thursday they will also launch a prevention campaign. Blick shows what the prevention campaign looks like and what you should pay attention to.

The prevention campaign is supported by the Cantonal Conference of Directors of Justice and Police and by Pro Senectute and lasts from October to mid-November.

In addition to a TV commercial in three national languages ​​showing such a shocking call, there is a poster and social media campaign, a website with information and a table stand to place next to the telephone for potential victims. This reminds us that there is an easy way to end the nightmare of a shock call: just hang up the phone.

A shock call is a particularly aggressive form of telephone fraud. It is usually claimed that a family member is in serious distress or danger and needs money or valuables. The stories vary: sometimes the ‘head doctor’ comes forward, sometimes a ‘lawyer’ or a ‘police officer’. The fraudsters use the powers granted to the above-mentioned professional groups to intimidate the victims.

The lowest common denominator of all shock calls is the shocking news itself, and: it is always associated with the demand for money. Another indication is that this often entails emotional pressure and time pressure.

It is best to end such a conversation immediately. The suspected affected family member should then be contacted. Swiss Crime Prevention also recommends always informing the police. Even though it was just an attempt and nothing happened. Such reports of attempted fraud help the police to respond in a timely manner. Anyone who has been a victim and has lost money or valuables should definitely report this. Shame is unfounded. It can happen to anyone. Here are more tips on how to protect yourself from shock calls. (sf/oco)

Source:Blick