Bremerhaven Warns Against Shock Tactics: Suspected Pension Insurance Intimidates Elderly, Demands Personal Data

In the city of Bremerhaven, residents are urged to be vigilant following a new scam involving fraudulent calls from individuals claiming to represent the pension insurance.

On September 1, a 69-year-old woman in Bremerhaven-Geestemünde received such a call. Recognising that data from the pension insurance is only requested in writing, she promptly ended the conversation. The woman then contacted the pension insurance and learned that there had been several similar calls recently.

The Bremerhaven Police are encouraging the public to share information about such incidents to help prevent others from falling victim to these scams. In a statement, they advise not to provide personal data over the phone in such situations and to hang up before contacting the relevant authorities directly.

The new variant of the shock call involves a caller claiming to be a representative of the pension insurance, threatening to stop pension or widow's pension payments unless personal data is provided. The German Pension Insurance has published a warning about this fraudulent scheme, and a brochure with tips for protecting against scams is offered on their page.

The police also recommend being cautious of unsolicited calls, especially those asking for personal or financial information. They suggest that if someone receives a suspicious call, they should hang up and contact the authorities immediately.

It is noted that the scam of pretending to be a police officer or prosecutor to extort money has become less successful due to its widespread recognition. However, scammers in Bremerhaven continue to target elderly people with shock calls, and the Bremerhaven Police can be contacted via telephone at 0471 953-1405 or email at [email protected] for any concerns or reports.

The public is encouraged to direct inquiries to the Bremerhaven Police and follow the provided advice to protect themselves against such scams. For more information on how to stay safe, visit the German Pension Insurance's website.