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Fake Police Officer Scam

Fraud recovery specilaists.

 

Scammers have been posing as police officers to steal bank details from victims across the UK.

Suffolk Police has revealed that there were several incidents of people being telephoned by a fraudster who gave a fake officer’s name and collar number.

The calls which have been reported this month are being seen across the country.

As a method of gaining their victims’ trust, the criminals claimed that they had noticed fraudulent bank account activity and were warning them of a potential scam.

Detective Jamie Adams, of Suffolk Police’s Fraud Assessment Unit, said: “If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of the call, please contact Suffolk police to verify the details of the officer.

“If you have elderly or vulnerable neighbours, friends or family, I would ask you to inform them of this guidance and to check with someone they trust if contacted in a similar manner.”

Suffolk Police also said that its officers would never call and ask for bank details, or alternatively encourage people to withdraw or transfer money.

National Fraud Helpline reported on a similar impersonation scam in November last year, when HSBC warned that there had been an increase in scammers choosing to target older and more vulnerable customers.

The scams start with criminals asking people to help with fake police investigations.

Victims are then convinced to take out cash from their accounts to buy gold, and then hand it over to scammers, with the premise that it is for safekeeping and they will eventually get the money back.

However, those that are scammed can end up losing hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Martin Richardson, senior partner at National Fraud Helpline, said: ‘It is so difficult for people to detrmine what is or isn’t a scam these days.

‘Fraudsters are becoming ever more inventive as they try to steal money.

‘If you have doubts about a situation it is okay to tell someone that and ask for more time. Someone without bad intentions will understand and not be offended. Scammers will often try to pressurise you to make a quick decision and this should be seen as a sign that something is not right.’

Have you lost money to a scam? Contact National Fraud Helpline. Call 0333 0033218 or fill out our  Claim Form.