£15,000 recovered for older East Sussex woman after scam ordeal

An older woman from East Sussex has had £15,000 returned to her after receiving support from Age UK East Sussex's Scams Team.

The 83-year-old was targeted by criminals pretending to be police officers. Over a number of days, they convinced her she was helping with an investigation and persuaded her to withdraw large sums of money from her bank.

Believing she was doing the right thing and worried about the safety of her family, she made several trips to local bank branches before handing over a total of £15,000 to a man who arrived at her home and gave a pre-arranged password.

It was only later that her family realised what had happened.

A convincing and distressing scam

They contacted Age UK East Sussex, where Scams Officer Tracey Firth stepped in to provide advice, reassurance and practical support.

Working closely with the family, Tracey helped them understand how these scams operate and supported them in raising concerns with the bank. She highlighted the circumstances surrounding the case, including the victim's vulnerability and the warning signs that suggested she had been manipulated.

Following this intervention, the bank reviewed the case and agreed to reimburse the full £15,000.

"This was a lady who genuinely believed she was helping the police and protecting her family," says Tracey. "These criminals are skilled at gaining trust and creating fear. Nobody should feel embarrassed if they've been caught out. The important thing is to seek support as soon as possible because help is available."

The warning signs

The case included several warning signs that can indicate someone is being targeted by a scam:

• Withdrawals that were significantly larger than the customer's usual banking activity
• Multiple visits to bank branches within a short period
• The customer's age and vulnerability
• Signs of pressure, coercion or secrecy surrounding the transactions

Recognising these signs early can help prevent significant financial loss and reduce the emotional impact on victims and their families.

A successful outcome

Following Tracey's intervention and advocacy, the bank reviewed the case and agreed to reimburse the full £15,000.

For the woman involved, the outcome brought relief after an extremely upsetting experience. It also provided reassurance to her family, who had been left worried about both her finances and her wellbeing.

Helping more older people stay safe

Sadly, scams targeting older people remain common and are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Many rely on trust, fear and manipulation rather than technical tricks.

Every year, Age UK East Sussex supports hundreds of people across the county through scam awareness talks, one-to-one support and practical advice. In 2025/26 alone, our Scams Team helped recover more than £257,000 for older people affected by scams.

This work is only possible thanks to the support of our donors, volunteers and local community. Together, you are helping older people across East Sussex stay informed, protected and supported when they need it most.