Phone scam drains thousands from West Derby mother

A West Derby mother loses thousands after a call that claimed to fix issues with her bank account.

Mother loses £10,500 to phone scam

A woman from West Derby lost 10,500 pounds after receiving a call from a withheld number. The scammers claimed there was unusual activity on her account and convinced her to move money to a new holding account. They used fake communications from Action Fraud to gain trust. The money was moved on Thursday night, and by Friday morning the victim realized she had been scammed after a friend shared a TikTok warning. The case is being investigated by Action Fraud and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, with police guidance on how to verify contact numbers from banks.

The incident shows how social engineering can exploit fear and routine banking steps. Victims are told to act quickly to protect funds, which leads to rapid transfers. Banks warn that they will not ask for bank details over the phone and advise calling official numbers to verify any suspicious request. The Merseyside Police emphasize reporting suspicious messages and being wary of withheld numbers.

This case reveals a familiar pattern in modern fraud. Scammers mimic official processes and build a sense of urgency to bypass normal checks. The use of a holding account lets the scam blend with legitimate money management, making recovery harder. Public awareness and quick reporting remain the best defenses. Banks and authorities must keep improving how they flag and communicate these tactics to customers.

Longer term, the incident underscores the need for clearer verification steps, easier reporting channels, and stronger support for victims who face large financial losses. It also highlights how social media posts and short videos can function as rapid warning systems, but they cannot replace official guidance from banks and police.

Highlights

A reminder that calm verification can save savings and avoid ruinous mistakes.