The incident was noticed when the man went to his local bank to withdraw money to buy vouchers that scammers had told him would entitle him to a large tax credit, Central Otago sub-area supervisor Senior Sergeant Ian Kerrisk said.
''On this occasion it was the good work of the Alexandra Westpac bank staff, who realised that something was wrong when the elderly gentleman came to the bank to access his funds. It was bank staff who accompanied him to the Alexandra police station, as they were worried that he was about to be scammed, and police thank the bank staff for looking out for the victim.''
Snr Sgt Kerrisk said it was vital any other members of the public who had been scammed came forward.
''We're aware there are people out there who have been victims of scamming, but are embarrassed they have been taken in. This happens more often than people realise - it [scamming] can happen to anyone. We encourage anyone who has been affected to report it.''
Snr Sgt Kerrisk said the 90-year-old man had been contacted by someone who said they represented a company selling holidays. The person said the man had stayed at one of the company's motels in 2009 (which he had not) and was due a refund.
To get the refund the man was told to purchase New World gift vouchers to the value of $500. He was then told a representative would come to his house and give him a cheque for $A2495, for which he could claim a tax credit.
After bank staff alerted police, police went to the elderly man's address and waited for another call. The caller had an accent and was very insistent and swore at the man. He hung up and another man who also had an accent and an aggressive manner then called again and tried to get the man to give him the voucher code numbers.
Police believed there was no representative in Alexandra, and the caller was from overseas. Snr Sgt Kerrisk said the overseas nature of many scamming operations was a huge problem, as New Zealand police could not investigate them.
Anyone who suspected a call might be from a scammer should hang up, be cautious and double-check details. It was a good idea for people to ask the caller for a landline number on which to call them back, Snr Sgt Kerrisk said.
He said people should never give out personal details or financial information such as account details and passwords.
Anyone who thought they had been scammed should contact their bank, and police. People can also go to www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/get-guidance/scams-and-online-safety/scams
