Warning after scam emails to Stevenage resident

Dear Resident

Police are urging residents to be alert to e-mail scams in which fraudsters pose as police officers in an attempt to steal personal and financial details.

This comes after an elderly Stevenage resident reported receiving such an email this week.

If you receive an e-mail or phone call you are not expecting, you should be suspicious. 

The vital things to remember are that the police would:

•         NEVER ask for your bank account details or PIN by email or via the phone, so do not disclose these to anyone, no matter who they claim to be.

•         NEVER ask you to withdraw money or purchase high value items and send it to them via a courier, taxi or by any other means.

•         NEVER ask you to send your bank cards, or any other personal property, to them via courier, taxi or by any other means.

A genuine Hertfordshire Constabulary e-mail address would end @herts.police.uk, if you are not happy with an e-mail or phone call and are suspicious, then please close the email or end the call and dial 101 or report online www.herts.police.uk/report. In an emergency or if a crime is in progress call 999 immediately. 

Remember, when reporting a suspicious phone call to police, wait at least five minutes before attempting to make the call to ensure you’re not reconnected to the offender.

Alternatively, use a mobile phone or a neighbour’s phone or test your landline by phoning a friend or relative first, to ensure you aren’t still unwittingly connected to the offender.

If you have concerns about your bank account, visit your local branch. 

How to protect yourself:

Remember to follow the above advice. In addition to this, some phone companies offer call screening services that can be effective in blocking marketing cold calls and bogus callers. Contact your phone company and ask about call screening and caller display services. 

How can you help? 

•         Please share this information with your older relatives and friends: this crime has a devastating effect on people and we need to raise awareness to prevent further people becoming victims.

•         Report any calls you believe are suspicious as we may be able to trace where the calls are originating from. Please remember, to wait at least five minutes before calling police or use a mobile or neighbour’s phone.

•         Report suspicious activity at cash points. If you see someone spending a long time at a cashpoint, using a number of different cards and have a hood up or their faces covered, contact police immediately. Often offenders will use cashpoints in the early hours.