CON artists who tried to trick two pensioners out of more than £5,000 have been foiled, thanks to a council safeguarding scheme.
In the past year, Havering Borough's banking protocol initiative has prevented over £50,000 from falling into the hands of criminals who have targeted the older generation with a string of ruses.
An elderly couple from Collier Row were the latest victims after tricksters told them that £1,500 of counterfeit cash had been deposited into their bank account.
They were then instructed to withdraw that sum from their savings, which would then be collected by courier and sent to police.
It was only through the protocol scheme – which was launched specifically to protect vulnerable people – that Lloyds Bank staff quizzed the pensioner on why he needed to remove such a large sum of cash from his account. The police were then informed.
A 75-year-old from Havering almost handed over £4,000 in cash to rogue builders who persuaded him into believing he needed work carried out on his roof and chimney.
It was only when suspicions were raised by staff at Lloyds Bank in Hornchurch, who queried the large withdrawal, that police were called in to stopped the scammers.
Councillor Geoff Starns, cabinet member for community safety at the borough council, described the scheme's success as "fantastic".
He said: "I hope more banks continue to come forward to join the scheme and help us in the fight to drive con artists out of our borough."
Mr Starns confirmed the initiative has now been extended to taxi firms, which are sometimes called to take vulnerable people to the bank to make large withdrawals.
David Hay, Chief Inspector of Romford Police, described the partnership as "effective".
He added: "This is a really efficient initiative and has proved to be a valuable tool in the fight against crime."
Havering's banking protocol is a joint scheme between the police, local banks, Age UK and the Havering Community and Police Consultative Group.
Under the initiative, bank staff are encouraged to make tactful enquiries if they feel a withdrawal could be suspicious, and contact the police or council to block it, as necessary.