Police Impersonation Fraud
Humberside police have advised about a tactic that is being used by fraudsters. Recently reported in the Grimsby area.
The fraudsters are portraying to be your bank or a police officer and sound legitimate, as they may know some of your personal details and invent an incident: Calling to inform you your card has been cloned.
The fraudster may tell you to hang up and call 101 or your banks real number to check they’re genuine. They may say “wait for the beep, then make the call”. This is the trick. Even if you dial a new number the scammer stays on the line without you knowing. You think you’re speaking to your bank or police but you’re still talking to the scammer.
Remember:
Your bank or the police will never call you to ask you to verify your personal details or PIN by phone or offer to pick up your card by courier.
Hang up, wait a few minutes, and then call your bank or 101 from a different telephone device and/or use a number you know to be genuine, such as the one on the back of your bank card, or by calling 159.
The police or your bank will not contact you out of the blue to participate in an investigation or send a courier to your home to collect bank cards, cash, or other valuable items. Any requests to do so are a scam.
Don’t trust Caller ID display on your phone – it’s not proof of ID.
Reporting and Support
If you have been a victim and lost money, call 101 and report it to Humberside Police.
Visit fraudwatch.org.uk for more information about fraud and where to get support.
You can also sign up to receive future alerts at alerts.fraudwatch.org.uk.
Useful Leaflets
Further information – watch the video below