Never reveal your online banking or payment card codes to anyone – even if the person requesting them claims to be a police officer. This is the message of a police campaign aimed at preventing fraud committed by persons impersonating officials.
In collaboration with the financial sector and organisations representing the elderly and pensioners, the police have produced special material to support the prevention of fraud, including static stickers that can be placed on the fridge door, for example, in an elderly person’s home, and printable material on the police website. In addition, the issue is being highlighted in the social media.
The website also includes printable notes that can be cut to shape and attached with a magnet in a suitable location, if static stickers are unavailable. The message and stickers bear the same message: Never reveal your online banking or payment card codes to anyone – even if the person requesting them claims to be a police officer.
The static stickers and notes are produced in Finnish and Swedish only, but printable guidelines on how to protect your money are also available in English.
An major nationwide problem
Fake police have emerged as a serious problem in Finland. During the current year, as many as 950 criminal reports have been filed concerning people impersonating officials, i.e., claiming to be police officers, and the related fraud and attempts at such crimes.
Criminals posing as so-called fake police officers exploit Finns’ trust in officialdom. Fake police particularly fish for old people’s bank cards and online banking codes.
This year, criminal damage caused by fake police totals almost one million euros.
“All kinds of fraud have increased based on exploiting public trust in the police, bank staff and other parties that inspire trust. In addition to phone calls, fraudsters have sought access to the homes of elderly people to “check” their valuables, cash and weapons,” says Chief Superintendent Jyrki Aho of the National Police Board.
Police departments, the National Police Board and the National Bureau of Investigation are cooperating closely to combat the phenomenon. These operations are being coordinated by the National Bureau of Investigation.
Prevention the most effective method
The most effective way to combat fake police crime is prevention, in collaboration with various parties. The message is simple: Never reveal your online banking or payment card codes to anyone – even if the person requesting them claims to be a police officer.
“All information on assets, bank cards and accounts must be kept secret. The police, banks or other authorities never ask for such details. Criminal phishing of data happens by telephone, e-mail and SMS. Never provide such details, even if someone comes to your door to ask for them,” says Aho.
Call the emergency number immediately about fraud and attempted fraud
All fraud must always be reported immediately to the emergency number 112.
Kimmo Kuusisto , Manager at the Emergency Response Centre Administration, says that fake police cases are property protection assignments. A call to 112 is therefore advisable.
“The ERC operator conducts a risk assessment of the incident, asks the caller to provide details, defines further measures and instructs the caller,” says Kuusisto.
The police stress that it is very important to report even attempted fraud to the emergency number.
Introduce spending limits for payment cards and online banking
The police website on http://www.poliisi.fi/rikokset/huijaukset#Valepoliisi-ilmiö contains information on the phenomenon and advice on how to protect your assets from fraudsters. The guidelines are printable for distribution at various events and occasions. You can also print the instructions as a reminder for yourself and your nearest and dearest. The guidelines are available in Finnish, Swedish and English.
Risto Karhunen, Head of Security and Loss Prevention at Finance Finland (FFI), emphasises that it is important to place spending limits on payment cards and online banking. Such limits can be specified per day, per withdrawal or other transaction.
“In this way, if misuse occurs, the amount of damage can be limited. The spending limits can be specified via your online bank and you should ask for assistance from your relatives, or your bank, when doing so,” says Karhunen.
Public awareness through extensive communications
Project Manager Kaisa Eskelinen at the VTKL - The Finnish Association for the Welfare of Older People, says that it is very important to communicate about the phenomenon extensively, informing the elderly directly, as well as professionals and volunteers working with them.
“Statistically speaking, the elderly have a lower risk of falling victim to crime, but fake police offences pose a particular risk to them.”
She points out that the numbers of elderly people will increase in the next few years, which is why it is very important to take them into account in this respect.
She urges both relatives and everyone in contact with older people to address the issue and talk about it actively, reminding the elderly to keep all banking matters secret and never to reveal online banking or payment card codes to anyone. And she reminds people of the importance of calling the emergency number whenever a fraud or attempted fraud occurs.
Protect your money from fraudsters pdf, 51,8 kB
