Fake police officer scam warning to Wiltshire residents
Elderly people across the county are being targeted
Wiltshire Police are warning of phone calls where scammers are pretending to be Police officers.
Over the past week they have received reports of residents across the county receiving calls from men requesting bank details.
The 'officer' is reported as saying that they have arrested a man, have him in custody, and now need assistance with some kind of fraud investigation.
They then asked questions about bank details and in some circumstances have asked people to withdraw sums of money.
Please be assured that police officers (and banks) will never cold call residents in this way and ask for card or bank details.
Also, police officers will not ask you to pay fines over the phone, will not ask you to transfer money or cards and will never ask you to withdrawn money as part of their investigation.
If you receive a call of this nature hang up immediately.
SPOTTING A SCAM
Here are a number of warning signs that someone you know may have been targetted by fraudsters:
- Changes in behaviour, especially being more stressed about money
- Huge amounts of post or unsolicited phone calls to their house
- Withdrawal of large cash amounts
STOPPING A SCAM
The steps to take to protect people you know from fraud:
- Make sure they say no to offers if they're unsure
- Emphasise they should never send money to anyone they don't know or pay fees, however small, to claim prizes or lottery winnings
- Make sure they never give their bank card or PIN to anyone. The only time they should use their card and PIN is at a cash machine or when using a Chip and PIN machine in a bank or shop
Assist them to opt out of many cold calls by registering with the Telephone Preference Service on 0845 070 0707 or visiting here.
Talk to your elderly relatives or neighbours so they are aware of this scam and if you think they have fallen victim, please call the Police immediately on 101.
Alternatively call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.