Police issue warning about trick phone calls

Police in Bad Homburg and Oberursel have issued a warning after a number of phone calls were reported to them.

The callers used a trick in the phone system to show the number “110” on the display of the receiver’s phone.  The police advise that they do not use this number when calling someone.

The callers target the elderly, and ask them about valuables and cash that they have at home.  They then tell them that they have received information that they are about to be burgled, and are going to send someone round to take their valuables to the police station for safe keeping.  Obviously if they did hand them over to whoever turned up they would not see them again.

The real police will not ask questions about valuables in the home, and will not asked where they are hidden.  They do not take cash or valuables for safe keeping.

Anyone who receives such calls is advised to put the phone down and inform the local police.  (Oberursel: 06171 62400, Bad Homburg: 06172 1200).

Police warn of false winnngs

Police in Hochtaunustreis are warning people about bogus phone calls, claiming to be from one of the lottery companies and telling people that they have won something.

In order to receive their winnings, they are told they have to pay an “administration fee” (“Verwaltungsgebühr”) using a Pay-Safe-Card.  These cards can usually be purchased at petrol stations and some kiosks.

A second phone call follows up to “make sure that data is correct”, at which point the Pay-Safe-Code on the card is asked for.  Once the caller has this code they can use the card credit for their own means.

According to police, in such circumstances there is almost certainly nothing to be won.

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