Care homes warn of 'Polar Express' Christmas scam
A care provider has issued a warning after two of its homes fell victim to a "Polar Express" Christmas scam.
Haughgate House Nursing Home in Woodbridge, Suffolk, and Shipdham Manor in Norfolk, had been expecting vans to be brought to the homes to give residents an experience based on the family movie.
But when staff came to clarify the details this week, they found the company's website had shut down and the telephone lines no longer worked.
Pip Rich, marketing manager for Healthcare Homes, warned other homes to watch out for the scam and said the incidents had been reported to the police.
Ms Rich explained the homes were approached in the summer and offered the "Royal Train Ride" Polar Express Christmas experience.
The Polar Express is a 2004 animated Christmas film, starring Tom Hanks, that follows a young boy on a train journey to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus.
But on Wednesday, when Haughgate House staff went to check the event was still happening, they realised they had been scammed.
"The activities coordinators at the home work so hard and they are devastated by it. It's incredibly sad; it's unforgiveable," Ms Rich said.
"At the moment the focus is on making sure that the residents are happy and still having an experience to enjoy.
"It's unforgiveable that they would target care homes so raising awareness and making sure that other people don't fall foul of this scam is one of our priorities."
Chelsea Mears, activities co-ordinator at Shipdham Manor, said funds to pay for the experience had been donated and "held special significance".
It lost £400 to the scam while Haughgate House lost £100, and the teams are trying to recoup the lost money.
Ms Rich said police had been made aware.
Suffolk Trading Standards told the BBC it was aware and would be in touch with the care home provider.
Suffolk Police and Norfolk Police have been approached for comment.
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