Sutton PO workers save elderly woman from con-artists

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Sutton Post Office workers save elderly woman from con-artist

http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news ... on_artist/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Quick thinking Post Office staff saved an 80-year-old woman from being ripped-off by a con-artist.

The elderly woman went into the Post Office branch in Upper Mulgrave Road and asked to withdraw £400 - double her daily limit - earlier this month.

Staff at the branch challenged the woman over the unusual withdrawal as part of the police and Sutton Council's banking protocols scheme, where workers are encouraged to ask questions where they fear a vulnerable person may be getting tricked.


It turned out the woman had been visited by a con-man who claimed to have cleaned her gutters and was asking for £400 for the work. The woman gave him £40 in cash and told him she would have to withdraw the remainder from the post office.

Police were alerted and officers went to the woman's house to see if the man came back but he did not. Trading standards officers investigated and estimated the value of the work the man did to be around £50.

Counter Clerk Louise Honey said: "The customer came in and does not usually ask for that amount of money. She mentioned she was having some building work done, but seemed vague about it, and we felt something wasn't quite right."

Banking protocols were introduced earlier this year and workers in Sutton, Wallington, Cheam, and Worcester Park have been trained in what to do if something arouses their suspicion. This incident happened on June 12 - the day after Post Office staff had their training.

To recognise the quick thinking of Ms Honey and postmistress Jayshree Patel, they were presented with a commendation certificate earlier this week.