A MAN will face court in Newcastle on Tuesday after he was accused of defrauding elderly residents across NSW.
Police have been told 15 residents from retirement villages in the Illawarra, CAnberra, the Central Coast and in the Southern Highlands were allegedly victims after receiving phone calls between January and April from a man purporting to be from their bank.
It is alleged the man stole bank cards, calling the owners to get information from them and subsequently withdrew cash from ATMs in East Maitland, East Gosford, Tahmoor, Tuggerah Lakes, Belmont, Dapto and Canberra.
Officers began investigating earlier this year, an inquiry that led them to a property in Springfield, near Gosford, about 8.30am on Monday.
Police arrested a 45-year-old man and searched the property, seizing items including mobile phones, cannabis, banking documents and clothing.
The 45-year-old was taken to Woy Woy Police Station and charged with 19 counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception and one count of possess prohibited drug.
He was refused bail to face court.
Investigations are ongoing.
Police urged people never to give out bank or personal details over the phone, and for those concerned their details had been stolen to contact their local police.
Anyone with information about suspected fraud is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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