Alert home nurse prevents patient in Kortrijk from being scammed via phone

In a heartening display of quick thinking and civic duty, a home nurse in Kortrijk has successfully thwarted a phone scam targeting an elderly resident. The nurse's alertness proved crucial when she overheard the patient speaking with a scammer who was impersonating a bank official. The scammer's tactic involved instructing the woman to prepare valuables for collection by a supposed police officer, a common ploy used by fraudsters.

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De thuisverpleegster kon stukken van het gesprek horen en ze wist meteen dat de patiënte het slachtoffer dreigde te worden van oplichting. De zorgkundige handelde correct, verbrak meteen de lijn en waarschuwde de politie.

According to police spokesperson Thomas Detavernier, the nurse acted swiftly, immediately ending the call and alerting the authorities. This intervention prevented the patient from becoming another victim of sophisticated phone fraud. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by such scams, especially to vulnerable individuals.

Tragically, on the very same day, a resident in the nearby Lendelede fell victim to a similar scam, losing €2,000 from her bank account. Although the bank managed to reverse the transaction and block the card, the incident underscores the need for increased awareness and preventative measures. In response to these threats, the city of Kortrijk has initiated a cyber-prevention training program for home care workers, household assistants, and medical personnel. This program equips them with the knowledge to protect their clients from online fraud, recognizing that these caregivers are ideally positioned to identify and report suspicious activities.

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Hulpverleners komen ook heel vaak bij die mensen over de vloer, dus zij staan in een ideale positie om phishing aan te pakken.

The police continue to urge the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent calls, emphasizing that bank or police officials will never visit homes to collect valuables or sensitive information. They stress the importance of never sharing bank card details or PINs with unfamiliar individuals. Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious calls immediately to the police hotline. The proactive training initiative in Kortrijk is a commendable step towards building a more resilient community against the ever-evolving landscape of digital fraud.

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We beklemtonen nogmaals dat bank- of politiemedewerkers nooit bij je thuis komen om zo’n zaken af te halen. En je moet nooit je bankkaart of een pincode prijsgeven aan mensen die je niet of amper kent.