Bank staff prevent more than £500,000 in fraud
Quick responses from banks and local policing teams prevented people in Dyfed-Powys from being scammed out of more than £500,000 in the last year.
New figures have shown that thanks to training given to bank staff, potential victims were saved from being scammed out of a total of £515,579 in 2018.
The Banking Protocol trains bank staff to spot when someone is about to fall victim to a scam and try to prevent them from withdrawing cash to give to a fraudster, after which they can request an immediate police response to the branch.
A total of two arrests were made by Dyfed-Powys Police last year through the initiative, while in total 46 emergency calls were received.
The latest figures reveal that across the country the scheme has prevented £38 million of fraud and led to 231 arrests in 2018.
Paul Callard of the Dyfed-Powys Police Financial Crime Team said: "We know that the most vulnerable in our communities are being targeted and defrauded by heartless criminals, using a variety of methods.
“A common method for fraud offences to be carried out is by encouraging victims to go to their bank, building society or Post Office to withdraw cash or transfer money out of their account.
Success
“Through the Banking Protocol, bank and building society staff can contact us directly if they have any concerns about someone withdrawing large amounts of money, or attempting an unusual transaction.
“We are able to identify and protect potential fraud victims, and by working in partnership with the finance industry and Trading Standards we can really make a difference and protect the most vulnerable.
“Thanks to the Banking Protocol we have succeeded in preventing over £500,000 being lost to fraudsters in 2018 in Dyfed-Powys alone, and prevented the victimisation of some of the most susceptible.
“This is testament to the impact that can be directly attributed to the Banking Protocol, and we are excited to see further positive success stories as we move forward.”
The Banking Protocol was rolled out by Dyfed-Powys Police in Autumn 2016, and since March 2018, the scheme has been implemented by all 45 police forces across the UK.
52 payment service providers, including all the main high street banks and the Post Office, are now fully signed up to the Banking Protocol and have trained up their front-line branch staff in the steps that need to be taken when a customer is at risk.
