North Yorkshire Police have received an increase in scammers contacting residents via phone pretending to be a police officer or fraud investigator. The fraudsters if allowed to engage, employ several tactics to convince the victim that they are legitimate. Examples below. 

Example 1.

 “I'll hang up and you ring 101 (police non-emergency number) to confirm”… The scammer doesn't hang up and holds onto the line but stays silent, making you think phone has hung up. Scammer waits for the victim to dial 101 (which they will hear the dial tone down the phone) then pretends to be the police and confirms the original call as legitimate. 

Example 2.

Scammers often use personal details which they have purchased online via the dark web against you to make them sound legitimate. They can have access to some of your personal data beforehand by purchasing data that was stolen via online data protection breaches. They may, before even starting the call, have details such as your name and address, date of birth, bank card details etc and site them back to you to convince you they are legitimate.  

Please be wary of any phone calls from any parties pretending to be police, bank fraud investigators or National crime Agency (NCA) investigators, or any other public agency (Television Licencing, DVLA, HMIC etc)  as they may be attempting to get your money.

The next stage of the scam involves them claiming they are watching a suspect and want your assistance in catching them. They may ask the victim to transfer funds from your bank account into a “safe account” or a “test account” so they can track what the suspect does. They may also request you to transfer your money or withdraw large sums of cash into purchasing gold and silver or other precious metals such platinum/palladium etc for “safe keeping” or to make a “test purchase". 

 The scammers then send a courier to your house to collect the cash or valuables claiming your bank will be reimbursed, which of course does not happen. At this point the scam is complete. 

The Police, (NCA / banks etc) will NEVER ask for any personal details over the phone and will NEVER ask to transfer any funds. They will never send any persons out to your house to collect any item. 

Please protect yourself from fraud by being aware of the above. DO NOT answer the phone from any unknown or unrecognised numbers. If you receive a call or txt message claiming you are a victim of fraud and are unsure what to do, DO NOT respond to the number provided by the scammers. Instead contact police (tel 101) or your bank directly and discuss any issue with persons who you know are legitimate. 

Most importantly, DO NOT underestimate how convincing these professional scammers can be, they are adept at employing pressure tactics on you to convince you that you will loose everything if you don't do what they say quickly. Any person can become a victim of this type of crime. 

 Protect yourself by being aware and not engaging in the first place. DO NOT be tempted to string a scammer along on the phone, as every additional second your are on the phone to them is an additional second of opportunity they may have to convince you to hand over your life savings.  

Please report any suspicious incidents to ACTION FRAUD via www.actionfraud.police.uk 

If you think you are a victim of such a scam please contact North Yorkshire Police via 101. 

Thank you

PC1893 Mike Spittlehouse