Danger! Scammers pretend to be police officers – this is how you protect yourself!

Danger! Scammers pretend to be police officers – this is how you protect yourself!

In beautiful Gießen, where the half-timbered dams and the towns are full of charm, there is currently reason for concern. The police warn urgently about telephone scammers who pose as police officers and are active throughout the city and district. On July 21 and 22, 2025, numerous citizens came forward who were contacted by these fake officials. The fraudsters try to take money out of people's pockets by warning about alleged gangs of burglars and stealing valuables under the pretext of "safekeeping". The Central Hesse Police Headquarters emphasizes that these calls do not only occur in the district, but can occur anywhere.

The deceptive maneuvers of these con artists are particularly perfidious. They often call from suppressed or unknown numbers and pretend to be from renowned institutions such as Europol or the Federal Criminal Police Office. They put the people they call under massive pressure to quickly get money or personal data. Older people in particular are often the target of this scam Consumer advice center explained in their reports about the increased calls from innocent seniors.

Protective measures against telephone fraud

The police have published clear tips on how to protect yourself from these fraudsters. It is advisable to hang up immediately if the caller demands money. “Never hand over money to strangers” is another important mantra in this delicate situation. Relatives should be called back on the known number to check on their welfare. In addition, no information about financial or family circumstances should be disclosed. If you suspect fraud, it is important to contact the local police station immediately and file a report.

Seniors should not only be careful with fake police officers, but also with themGrandchildren trickfor example, where fraudsters pose as grandchildren and ask for money for “urgent” purposes. These scams aim to gain the trust of the older generation and manipulate them emotionally. One Raising awareness is the be-all and end-all here to prevent financial losses.

Important information for relatives

Older citizens in particular are often alone and this makes them more vulnerable to such fraud attempts. Relatives are therefore asked to make their relatives aware of such scams. The Nursing assistance has put together some tips on how to live more safely as you age. This includes always being skeptical about unknown calls and never making decisions straight away. In addition, for security reasons, personal information should not be revealed over the phone.

Let's not let ourselves be unsettled, but at the same time caution is required. The combination of education and healthy skepticism can help us protect ourselves and, above all, our older fellow human beings from such mean machinations and be able to navigate safely through everyday life. Let’s protect our community together and stay vigilant!