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Fraudulent Phone Calls Police have received reports of fraudulent phone calls, where the caller is claiming to be a police officer or someone from their bank. The caller might be able to confirm some easily obtainable information about you such as your full name and address. After gaining your trust, the criminals might claim: Their systems have spotted a fraudulent payment on your card, or it is due to expire and needs to be replaced.There is an investigation that requires you to withdraw money and hand it over to a police officer or courier, which will be returned to you once the investigation is complete.You need to purchase expensive items that you’ll be asked to hand to a courier for examination.Some money has been removed from your bank account and that corrupt staff at your local bank branch are responsible. You’re advised that someone at the branch has already been arrested but the “police” need you to withdraw your money for evidence.That a business, such as a jeweller or currency exchange, is operating fraudulently and they require assistance to help secure evidence. How to protect yourselves and others by sharing the information below: Neither police nor bank officials will ever ask you to withdraw money from your account, purchase anything or hand over your personal details or passwords.If you believe you are being targeted by a scammer hang up the phone and use a different phone line to call Action Fraud or the police, as scammers have a way to stay on the line and will pretend to be the police when you call back.If you don’t have access to a different phone line, wait for a period of time and try calling a family member or friend first to make sure the scammer is no longer on the line.Just because someone knows basic details about you like your address or date of birth, it doesn’t mean they are genuine bank or police employees.Always question suspicious phone calls and report them to Action Fraud or the police.Tell relatives or people who you think could be vulnerable about the scam.Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed about being defrauded, it can and does happen to anyone.#InYourCommunity #BardonBeatTeam PCSO 6667 |
