Beds Police are reissuing a warning to residents about telephone scammers, following reports of incidents in the county.
Elderly Bedfordshire residents have been targeted in the last 24 hours by fraudsters posing as police officers.
In one instance, a caller told a lady that a family member was being held in police custody, and then asked questions about her bank cards and account.
Happily, she realised it wasn’t genuine and terminated the call, then reported it to us straightaway.
Inspector Gareth Coombs of the Force Contact Centre, said: “Unfortunately from time to time we see a fresh wave of these cruel hoaxes, intended to dupe vulnerable people out of large sums of money.
“I’d like to remind people to be vigilant with personal details or banking information and remember that a police officer, or indeed a bank would never ask for details such as this to be carried out over a cold call.
“We work together with Action Fraud to report and investigate these incidents, and I would call upon all residents reading this advice to share this information with their elderly neighbours, friends and relatives to help protect them from these scammers.
“If you or they suspect a scam is taking place or you feel vulnerable, hang up, wait five minutes to clear the line, or where possible use a different telephone line, to call police or Action Fraud to report the incident.”
Telephone fraud advice
A police officer or bank will never:
- Ask for your personal financial information over the phone
- Invite you to make purchases either over the phone, online or in person
- Ask you to move money from your account
- Collect or arrange to collect money from your address
- Instruct you not to tell anyone about what they are asking you to do, or instruct you to lie to other officials about what you are doing
- Remember to always check the caller’s credentials.
If you take a call from someone who you believe is not genuine, hang up, and contact either Action Fraud or the police. Where possible use a different phone to make the call in case the fraudulent caller is still on the line.
If you do give your details to someone who you later believe is not credible, it’s important that you contact the bank immediately.
If you have any information, or would like to report a fraudulent call, please call 101, or use our online reporting tool.
If you suspect you have been a victim of fraud, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.