The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A 73-year-old woman from Spalding said she was left shaken after fraudsters rang her and told her to pay money to them or they would come for her.
The woman, who does not want to be named, is urging others to be aware of the scam and not to panic as she did.
The retired pensioner said she received the phone call from someone pretending to be from the fictional Legal and Customs Department this morning (Friday).
Thankfully she did not give the fraudsters money, but is worried others might be shocked into doing so.
“They told me that I was being watched,” she said. “They said some money had been taken from my account already, but they needed more and if I didn’t send more within 24 hours then they’d come to my property and arrest me.
“I just went cold and was shacking. It was so, so scary.
“Thankfully I composed myself and spoke to my granddaughter
“I’m currently having to self-isolate due to health issues. The only place I can go at the minute is to the shed.
“I bank with Nat West and they’ve been absolutely superb, as the person I spoke to at the police who has been trying to help us get through to Action Fraud.
“I just hope this doesn’t happen to anybody else as it’s just devastated me.
“There’s so many scams out their targeting people over 65 and those that might be vulnerable.”
A spokesman for Lincolnshire Police, said: “Never talk about money on the telephone to unsolicited callers. Hang up the phone. If the caller claims to be genuine, wait ten minutes after you have hung up and check it out using contact numbers you can verify yourself (not the ones given to you by the caller).
“Waiting ten minutes gives you time to think, and also ensures your phone is properly disconnected from the last caller.”
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