Only Fools And Horses star Sue Holderness, 73, reveals she was scammed out of hundreds of pounds by online fraudsters targeting older people
Sue Holderness has warned people to be wary about online scams after she was targeted by fraudsters who conned her out of hundreds of pounds.
The Only Fools And Horses star, 73, was tricked by scammers who hacked into her computer and convinced her to pay them to ‘fix’ her online security.
The actress is now supporting a campaign, Take Five To Stop Fraud, which provides advice to help people protect themselves from financial fraud.
Speaking on Loose Women, she said: ‘I think its a very important message because every time you turn on the radio or the television, somebody is talking about the scam or the fraud that they have suffered, and it seems to be mostly over-65s.
‘I fall very well into that category as I’m over 70. And they target us because we’re nervous of the internet and I suppose because we’ve got pensions and savings and so we’re the perfect people to have a go at.’
Scam: Sue Holderness has warned people to be wary about online scams after she was targeted by fraudsters who conned her out of hundreds of pounds
Ordeal: The actress was tricked by scammers who hacked into her computer and convinced her to pay them to ‘fix’ her online security (pictured on Only Fools And Horses in 2001)
‘I was just on my computer, doing emails or something, and suddenly there was this loud alarm rather like an ambulance siren, “Emergency, you are being hacked. Touch none of your devices, phone this number.” Which I did without a second thought.
‘I phoned the number and the noise is still going, it’s terribly frightening. And nothing I did would take the noise away and they say, “Alright I will take over your computer and sort this out”.’
Sue realised something was wrong as soon as she hung up and she quickly contacted her bank for help.
She said: ‘As soon as I ended the call, I knew that I’d made a mistake and I rang my bank and I said, “This is what’s happened to me and please when this £680, whatever it was, comes in would you (help). I think I’ve been scammed.”
‘And they said of course you’ve been scammed. No question about it. He said the best thing you’ve done is contact us quickly, now contact action fraud.’
Giving advice to viewers, Sue encouraged people not to feel ashamed or embarrassed they’ve been the victim of a scam.
She said: ‘If you think you’ve been scammed, don’t be embarrassed and think, ‘I am an idiot’, which is what we all think, ‘How stupid can I be?”,
‘They’re very sophisticated these criminals. You’re not being stupid. They’re just terribly clever. It is their job to study you, to research you and to con you.’
Sue said: ‘Every time you turn on the radio or the television, somebody is talking about the scam or the fraud that they have suffered, and it seems to be mostly over-65s’
Career: Sue is best known for her role as Marleene Boyce on Only Fools And Horses which she starred on from 1985 to 2003
Sue is best known for her role as Marleene Boyce on Only Fools And Horses which she starred on from 1985 to 2003.
She also appeared on spin-off show The Green Green Grass from 2005 to 2009.
Sue has also made appearances on other shows including Doctors, Still Open All Hours and EastEnders.
Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV at 12:30pm.
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