The police are warning about several new types of fraud targeting the elderly. In a short period, people have posed as flower couriers and sent fake text messages about healthcare visits.

In several parts of the country, elderly individuals have been visited by people claiming to deliver flowers. The fraudster says that a small fee needs to be paid and therefore asks for the senior’s bank card.

As a result, several people have lost their cards. Money has then been withdrawn from their accounts. The police write this in a news post on their website.

The police have so far registered three cases in Police Region North, two in Region Central, and two in Region East. In the North region, reports have come from locations including Härnösand, Haparanda, and Timrå.

SMS about fictitious healthcare visits

At the same time, police in Haninge and Nynäshamn, south of Stockholm, warn about another method. Elderly people have received SMS messages that appear to come from healthcare providers and include information about supposed upcoming healthcare visits.

Especially in the Nynäshamn area, including women in their 80s, have been affected. The police stress that healthcare and authorities do not contact elderly people in this way.

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Anyone who receives such an SMS should therefore neither respond nor disclose any information. You should also not let anyone into your home who unexpectedly shows up and claims to be from a healthcare company you do not recognize.

Urges relatives to talk to the elderly

The police urge elderly people to be cautious about unexpected contacts, whether they happen via SMS, phone, or in-person visits. If someone calls and makes you suspicious, you should feel free to hang up.

Relatives and other close contacts are also encouraged to talk with elderly people about fraud and scams. This may involve reminding them to delete suspicious SMS messages, not to open the door to strangers, and never to hand over their bank card to someone who unexpectedly asks for it.

Anyone who has been the victim of a fraud attempt or scam should file a police report. By being vigilant and talking to elderly people about these new methods, the police hope that more scams can be stopped before anyone falls victim.

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