Age UK Lincolnshire is warning people across the county to be vigilant after receiving reports that fraudsters are making telephone calls claiming to represent the charity.
The scammers are reportedly contacting local residents while pretending to be from Age UK Lincolnshire in an attempt to obtain personal information, bank details or persuade people to purchase products or services.
The charity is reminding the public that Age UK Lincolnshire will never cold-call anyone to sell products or services or ask for bank details over the phone.
Anyone who receives a call claiming to be from Age UK Lincolnshire that doesn't feel right is urged to trust their instincts, end the call immediately and contact the charity directly using a trusted telephone number to verify whether the call was genuine.
Sarah Constantine, Scams Prevention Officer at Age UK Lincolnshire, said:
"Scams can happen to absolutely anyone. Criminals are highly skilled at what they do – they know how to sound convincing, create a sense of urgency and manipulate people's emotions. Every minute, four people over the age of 50 become victims of fraud in the UK, so it's important to remember that being scammed is never a sign of being foolish or careless.
"One of the biggest challenges we see is that people often feel embarrassed, guilty or ashamed after a scam, which can stop them from asking for help. Please don't suffer in silence. If something has happened, or even if you're simply worried that something doesn't feel right, talk to us. We're here to listen without judgement, help you understand what has happened and support you with the next steps."
The charity is encouraging anyone who believes they may have been targeted to act quickly:
· If you have paid money, shared bank details or given someone remote access to your computer or device, contact your bank immediately.
· If you feel threatened or are in immediate danger, call 999.
· Report the incident to the police by calling 101 or reporting it online.