Police Headquarters Lübeck
Lübeck Police Launch Initiative to Protect Senior Citizens from Telephone Scams
The Police Directorate in Lübeck has taken a significant step towards enhancing the safety of senior citizens. In early August 2024, they launched an initiative in collaboration with the victim support organization Weißer Ring and the police to inform seniors about common telephone scams and provide practical self-defense tips.
The initiative involves providing appointment slips to seniors during their doctor's visits, reminding them of their appointments and warning them about common fraud schemes. These appointment slips, designed in cooperation with the White Ring Lübeck and Ostholstein, and the prevention department of the Police Directorate Lübeck, contain important security tips.
One of the common fraud schemes the appointment slips warn about is the "shock call." In a shock call, the called party is unable to think clearly due to the sudden, emotionally stressful situation, making them vulnerable to the fraudster's instructions. The goal of this initiative is to raise awareness among senior citizens and provide them with practical tips to better protect themselves from fraud attempts.
The appointment slips are not limited to medical practices. They are suitable for various places that schedule individual appointments, such as hairdressers and physiotherapy practices. The posters for waiting rooms also provide guidance on the correct behavior.
The first of these appointment slips were presented and distributed on August 18, 2024, at the premises of the Haut - und Venenzentrum Lübeck in Kronsforder Allee 44-46. Each appointment block contains 50 sheets, and a total of 1,000 blocks will be distributed.
Anyone can fall victim to such calls, and the victims often feel great shame after being scammed. The Police Directorate Lübeck plans a uniform distribution of the appointment slips and posters in Lübeck and Ostholstein within the next few weeks. For further information, free appointment cards, posters, or free lectures for clubs, groups, or facilities, please contact the Police Directorate Lübeck Press Office.
The White Ring explained that they give lectures for seniors and their relatives about shock calls and similar fraud schemes. The nationwide damage from such fraud schemes in 2024 was already reached in June of the same year. With the number of cases heading towards the peak levels of 2022 and 2023, this initiative could not have come at a better time.
The distribution and display of the materials in practices will reach a large number of people. The Police Directorate Lübeck encourages everyone to take advantage of this initiative and help protect senior citizens from falling victim to telephone scams.
Contact Information Anna Julia Meyer - Press Spokesperson Telephone: 0451-131-2015 Fax: 0451-131-2019 Email: [email protected]
