Scammers pretending to be police officers targeting West Dorset
They claim there is counterfeit money in your bank account
Last updated 14th Nov 2022
Scammers pretending to be police officers are targeting people in West Dorset.
The warning comes from Bridport Police.
The con artists are phoning people, pretending there is counterfeit money in their bank account, and ask the victims to visit the bank to withdraw cash.
They are trying to get around security checks by keeping their victims on the phone and getting them to lie to cashiers about what the money is for.
A spokesperson for Bridport Police said:
"The victims are told to tell bank staff that the withdrawal is for a vehicle, or to assist a child, so suspicions are not raised.
"They will also ask the victim to remain on the phone as they visit the bank in order to stop other people accessing their line, monitor the progress of the scam and add information if they need to control the victim further.
"Once at home, the victim is then asked to read bank serial note numbers to the offenders, who state the notes are fraudulent and that an officer will attend to collect the money. They are told that the same amount of money will be paid back into their account to cover their loss."
Dorset Police say they would NEVER call you and ask you to do this.
A spokesperson for Bridport Police added:
"We would urge anyone with doubts about the validity of a caller to take steps to verify their legitimacy and ring them back via an official, publicly available number, which for Dorset Police would be 101.
"Never give personal information such as bank details out over the phone.
"The offenders appear to be targeting elderly residents and we would ask people to look out for elderly family members or neighbours and make sure they are aware of potential scams."