Bogus police scam warning
FRAUDSTERS TARGET TOWN IN BID TO CON PEOPLE OUT OF CASH
A WARNING has been issued after fraudsters posing as police officers attempted to scam people out of money and jewellery.
Two people have fallen for the scam in Retford, handing money and watches over on the doorstep.
The scammers, pretending to be officers, would normally tell the victim that they’re investigating some fraudulent activity on their bank account and then ask them to provide some bank details.
The force said in seven recent reports the scammers have asked victims to withdraw cash from the bank and hand it over to a courier who comes to their door.
In another report this weekend a victim was asked to visit a jewellery shop and purchase an expensive watch to hand over. They didn’t and rang the police to report the crime instead.
Fraud and Cyber Protect Officer Fiona Price was concerned and urged the local community to talk to their friends and family to make them aware.
She said: “It’s unusual to have such a large report of the same scam in the same area.
“We have now received seven reports of fraud in five days. We are keen to let the Retford public know and urge friends and family to spread the word about these scam tactics, so they aren’t a victim.
“A real police officer would never call a member of the public asking them to disclose personal or financial information and then instruct them to take immediate financial action.
“If you receive a call you’re not sure about, always insist on verifying the caller’s identity. If you’re calling them back, use a number known to be connected to the organisation in question, not the one provided by the caller. For the police, it’s 101 and make sure you insist on talking to the named officer.
“Make this call from a separate telephone line to the one that the call was received if you can. If you don’t have one, wait at least 10 minutes before calling on the same line. Legitimate organisations will understand you wanting to make these steps and will not take issue with it.
“They sometimes trick the victim into verifying they are legitimate by calling them back on 999, when they in fact remain on the line the entire time.
“Please continue to spread the word ensuring elderly or vulnerable loved ones and neighbours are aware of these types of scams.” If you believe that you have been called by a bogus police officer, please report the incident to Action Fraud, the UK’S national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre, on 0300 123 2040
If you think you’ve lost money through this scam, please call police on 101 so they can preserve evidence as quickly as possible.
It’s unusual to have such a large report of the same scam in the same area
Fiona Price