Don’t risk keeping large sums at home

Nov 15 2007 by Audrey Barton, The Journal

Two shocking incidents within a week have seen thieves targeting pensioners in their own homes and making off with sums of cash. Now the elderly are being warned to not keep large amounts of money in their homes – a phenomenon exacerbated by the run on Northern Rock as senior citizens’ trust in financial institutions is further eroded. The Journal’s Audrey Forbes reports.

THE first incident was shocking enough – a 78-year-old woman in a suburb of Newcastle tied up and robbed by a gunman who had conned his way into her home.

The man, still being hunted by police, had duped his way into the pensioner’s Jesmond home by claiming he needed to borrow a pen and paper, before making off with some cash.

The second was every bit as stark, and appalling.

Pensioner Don Pape, 78, of Fawdon, Newcastle, was the victim of a gang of three men who tricked their way into his home, pretending to be from the gas board.

But aside from the shock of the incident, another surprising element was revealed – that the 78-year-old kept his entire life savings at home with him.

The pensioner had £2,500 taken – money he was saving up for his own funeral – that was kept stashed in three wallets he kept on his person.

Now, pensioners are being warned to be on their guard against bogus callers – and to avoid taking the risk of keeping cash at home.

But it is a risk even more seem to be taking in the light of the Northern Rock crisis.

Billions of pounds have been withdrawn nationally from the troubled bank by its customers who queued up to withdraw their savings, many of whom are elderly North-Easterners.

Deputy chief officer of Age Concern Gateshead Ann-Marie Bainbridge said the bank’s problems had triggered a rise in the number of pensioners stashing money in their homes.

She said: “We are finding this is happening more and more simply because older people have always been sceptical of using institutions we wouldn’t think twice about.

“But what has happened with the Northern Rock has had a major influence recently.

“People have withdrawn money as they believe they have worked hard all their life for it and despite reassurances by the bank and the Government they don’t want it going down the pan.”

The Northern Rock’s base is in the North-East and for many older people it has been a trusted brand.

Ms Bainbridge added: “The bank kept its local branches open and the older people tend to go more for the traditional banks and building societies.”

She said prior to the crisis people had lost faith in the pensions system.

“Their pensions funds didn’t come to the fruition they were expecting.

“People weren’t able to take their retirement pensions as they had gone down.

“People are more sceptical about giving their money to others to look after.”

Ms Bainbridge advised pensioners to contact Age Concern for advice on bank accounts and funeral plans.

Mr Pape’s daughter, Linda Gallon, 56, of Chopwell, Gateshead, appealed to other pensioners not to keep large sums of money in their homes.

She said: “My father was going to go to the bank to pay his money in.

“He had his bank book and was going with my aunt, but now it is too late.

“People, especially the elderly, put money under floorboards and under their mattresses as they feel more secure with it close to them.

“But they would be better putting it into the bank for safe keeping.”

Ms Gallon said she was surprised her father had all that money on him.

“I was shocked as I thought it would just be his pension. But he had been saving it for his funeral.

“Once he gets over the shock we will put in a claim to the small claims court but the police have said we won’t get all of it back.”

Chief Inspector Gillian Mitchell, of Northumbria Police’s Newcastle Area Command, renewed a warning for people to be on their guard.

She said: “We urge residents to be vigilant at all times and ensure they check the identity of anyone calling at their home who is unexpected.

“Anyone purporting to be from an agency or organisation will carry an identity card and residents should ask to see this before allowing them in.

“If they don’t have an identity card or are unwilling to produce one, don’t let them in.

“Residents, particularly the elderly, should be extra cautious now the dark evenings are here.

“If they have any concerns or suspicions at all they should not open their door and instead ask the caller to return at a time when they know someone else, such as a relative or friend, will be in the house to offer support.”

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