Scam callers continue to impersonate police officers

Scam callers continue to impersonate police officers

Fraudsters are continuing to call residents posing as Hertfordshire Police officers. 

The calls appear to come from a legitimate police number (01707 35 4000) which has been spoofed. The scammer often knows the name of the person they are calling and claims to be contacting them because their details have been stolen in a cyber-attack. 

Several police forces have issued similar warnings about this type of scam in recent weeks, with fraudsters trying to obtain personal details or gain remote access to devices.

If you are called by someone claiming to be an Hertfordshire Police officer, ask for their name and warrant number, then end the call and dial 101 using a different phone and ask to speak to the officer with those credentials. 

If you receive a message or call you are not expecting, you should be suspicious. The vital things to remember are that someone working for your bank, or the police would:

• NEVER ask for your bank account details or PIN, 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.

• NEVER ask to remotely access your devices.

If you are not happy with a phone call or message and are suspicious of a conversation, end it and call 101 or report online via 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.

For more advice and information about fraud visit: www.herts.police.uk/cyber-fraud.