Force issues scam warning after spike in fraudulent calls

Force issues scam warning after spike in fraudulent calls

Bedfordshire Police is warning residents about an ongoing telephone scam which may see people being conned into giving their bank details to a fraudster posing as a police officer.

In recent days and weeks, a number of calls have been received by the force reporting scam phone calls from someone claiming to be a Bedfordshire Police officer. Some victims have been based in Bedfordshire but the same number is also calling people throughout the UK.

Detective Inspector Ben Searle said: “Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and can make a phone number appear genuine, including numbers belonging to trusted organisations such as the police. In recent reports, an 01234 number which appears to be linked to Bedfordshire Police has been used.

“In these incidents, the caller purporting to work for the force has asked for victims' bank card details after claiming they have seized stolen bank cards from someone in police custody. Thankfully, none of these reports has ended in the victim giving over details or cash, but these are just the calls we know about and sadly there may be many others, or victims who have been defrauded of money.

“Please remember that no-one from Bedfordshire Police would ever ask you to give your bank details, or withdraw, move or hand over money. Be vigilant to this kind of fraud and especially alert any elderly or vulnerable relatives and friends. If in doubt, hang up and report the incident to Report Fraud.”

Fraud prevention advice

Take a moment to pause and consider: Criminals will rush and pressure you to respond. It's okay to reject or ignore their demands.

Never hand over your card, cash or give up your bank details: Your bank or the police will never ask you to give bank details or ask to collect your money or your card. Never give these to anyone.

Always verify securely: If contacted unexpectedly, call your bank back using a number you trust. Wait five minutes or use a different phone line to ensure the line is clear of criminals who might still be connected. If it is someone purporting to be the police, hang up, and wait or use a different phone line to report to Report Fraud.

Don’t assume a phone call is authentic just because the caller knows your name, or references legitimate organisations or banks.

Visit Report Fraud for more advice and how to report: UK's Home for Reporting Cyber Crime & Fraud - Report Fraud

DI Ben Searle in Bedfordshire Police's Force Control Room

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Manpreet Teji
(Bedfordshire Police, Communications Advisor, Bedfordshire)